The symptoms of high blood sugar can be mild, moderate, or severe. If your blood sugar levels are consistently higher than your target range, you may have mild symptoms of high blood sugar. You may urinate more than usual if you are drinking plenty of liquids. Some people who have diabetes may not notice any symptoms when their blood sugar level is in this range. The main symptoms of high blood sugar are:.
Young children are unable to recognize symptoms of high blood sugar. Parents need to do a home blood sugar test on their child whenever they suspect high blood sugar. If you don't drink enough liquids to replace the fluids lost from high blood sugar levels, you can become dehydrated. Young children can become dehydrated very quickly. Symptoms of dehydration include:. Moderate to severe symptoms of high blood sugar include:.
If your body produces little or no insulin people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes , you also may have:. If your blood sugar levels continue to rise, you may become confused and lethargic. You also may become unconscious if your blood sugar levels are very high.
Numbness and tingling : High blood sugar can also cause numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands, legs, and feet. This is due to diabetic neuropathy , a complication of diabetes that often occurs after many years of high blood sugar levels. Damage to the blood vessels can lead to complications, including:. Several types of diabetes can lead to high blood sugar. In type 1 diabetes , the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
As a result, the body lacks insulin and blood sugar levels rise. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin through a needle, pen, or insulin pump to keep blood sugar levels within the target range.
Only 5 percent of all people with diabetes have type 1, according to the American Diabetes Association. In type 2 diabetes , the body does produce insulin but is unable to use it properly. The pancreas tries to make more insulin, but often cannot make enough to keep blood sugar levels steady.
This is known as insulin resistance. People with type 2 diabetes may need to take insulin, pills, or make diet or exercise changes to help manage blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes can happen when insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels appear during pregnancy. People should monitor this during pregnancy, as it can lead to complications for the mother and the baby.
Gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery. Cystic fibrosis : There may be a link between diabetes and cystic fibrosis. Medications : People who take beta blockers and certain steroids may also experience high blood sugar.
Researchers believe certain genetic or environmental factors may make people more likely to get type 1 diabetes. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation say that there is nothing a person can do to prevent type 1 diabetes. Eating, exercise, or other lifestyle choices will not change the outcome. Type 1 diabetes usually begins during childhood or early adulthood, but it can happen at any age.
The following risk factors may make developing type 2 diabetes more likely:. They may need regular testing to keep these within a healthy range. Each person is different and levels can vary between individuals. To find out their blood sugar levels, the person may need to fast for 8 hours, 2 hours after a meal, or at both times. Some people may also take a glucose tolerance test, in which they drink a sugary liquid and have a blood test after. Many people with diabetes must check their blood sugar levels daily with a glucose meter.
This device takes a drop of blood, usually from a finger, and displays the sugar level within a few seconds. People with type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin as their doctor recommends, usually several times a day.
Those with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes may need to change their diet and exercise habits. They may also need to take oral medications or insulin. A number of strategies can help prevent hyperglycemia. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia , can happen when a person:. It can also be a side effect of diabetes medicines. Symptoms of hyperglycaemia in people with diabetes tend to develop slowly over a few days or weeks.
In some cases, there may be no symptoms until the blood sugar level is very high. Symptoms of hyperglycaemia can also be caused by undiagnosed diabetes, so see a GP if this applies to you. You can have a test to check for the condition. When you're first diagnosed with diabetes, your diabetes care team will usually tell you what your blood sugar level is and what you should aim to get it down to.
You may be advised to use a testing device to monitor your blood sugar level regularly at home. Or you may have an appointment with a nurse or doctor every few months to see what your average blood sugar level is. This is known as your HbA1c level. The Diabetes UK website has more about blood sugar levels and testing.
A variety of things can trigger an increase in blood sugar level in people with diabetes, including:. Occasional episodes of hyperglycaemia can also occur in children and young adults during growth spurts. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and have symptoms of hyperglycaemia, follow the advice your care team has given you to reduce your blood sugar level. You may also be advised to monitor your blood sugar level more closely, or test your blood or urine for substances called ketones associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.
Until your blood sugar level is back under control, watch out for additional symptoms that could be a sign of a more serious condition. Contact your diabetes care team immediately if you have a high blood sugar level and experience the following symptoms:.
These symptoms could be a sign of a more serious complication of hyperglycaemia, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or a hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state, and you may need to be looked after in hospital. There are simple ways to reduce your risk of severe or prolonged hyperglycaemia:.
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