What is hyperglycaemia and what are the symptoms?
You may have heard the term hyperglycaemia mentioned in conversations about diabetes or blood sugar, but what exactly does it mean? And how can you tell if you or someone you care about might be experiencing it?
Put simply, hyperglycaemia refers to higher-than-normal levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It's a condition that can affect anyone but is especially common in people with diabetes. Left unmanaged, hyperglycaemia can lead to serious health issues, so understanding its causes, symptoms and ways to manage it is essential for maintaining your wellbeing.
Understanding blood sugar and its role in the body
To appreciate what hyperglycaemia means, it's helpful to understand how blood sugar works in your body.
When you eat, your body breaks down carbohydrates from food into glucose, a sugar that serves as the main energy source for your cells. This glucose enters your bloodstream, where it’s transported to cells throughout your body.
But glucose can’t enter your cells without help. That’s where the hormone insulin comes in. Produced by the pancreas, insulin acts like a key that unlocks cells to allow glucose inside, where it’s used for energy or stored for later.
In a healthy body, blood sugar levels rise after eating but quickly return to a stable range as insulin moves glucose into cells. However, when this process doesn’t work properly - either because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it effectively - glucose builds up in the blood, leading to hyperglycaemia.
Common causes of hyperglycaemia
While hyperglycaemia is most often linked to diabetes, it can result from various factors. Some common causes include:
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Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin.
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Type 2 diabetes: When the body becomes resistant to insulin or the pancreas doesn't produce enough.
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Prediabetes: Elevated blood sugar levels that aren’t high enough to be classified as diabetes but still indicate risk.
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Dietary choices: Eating excessive amounts of sugary or high-carbohydrate foods without balancing with exercise.
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Stress: Both physical (like illness or injury) and emotional stress can cause temporary spikes in blood sugar.
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Medications: Certain drugs, such as corticosteroids, some diuretics and beta-blockers, may increase blood sugar.
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Infections or illness: These can affect how your body handles blood sugar.
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Skipping or incorrectly taking diabetes medication: Missing doses or incorrect use of insulin or diabetes drugs can cause blood sugar to rise dangerously.
How does hyperglycaemia develop?
Hyperglycaemia usually develops gradually. You might not notice symptoms right away, but as blood sugar rises over hours or days, the effects start to show.
Blood glucose levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per litre (mmol/L). A normal fasting blood sugar level is typically below 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). Hyperglycemia is generally diagnosed when fasting blood glucose is above 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) on more than one occasion.
Recognising the symptoms of hyperglycaemia
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and often develop slowly. Here are some of the most common signs to watch out for:
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Increased thirst: Your body tries to flush out excess glucose through urine, which can leave you feeling thirsty.
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Frequent urination: High blood sugar forces your kidneys to work harder, leading to more trips to the bathroom.
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Fatigue: When glucose can’t enter cells properly, your body lacks energy, leading to tiredness.
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Blurred vision: High blood sugar can cause fluid shifts in the lenses of your eyes, affecting vision.
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Headaches: Dehydration and blood sugar fluctuations may cause headaches.
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Dry mouth and skin: Excess sugar in the blood can lead to dehydration, affecting skin moisture.
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Unintended weight loss: When cells don’t get enough glucose, the body breaks down fat and muscle for energy.
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Difficulty concentrating: Sometimes called “brain fog,” this can be a result of unstable glucose levels.
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Slow-healing cuts and infections: High blood sugar impairs the body’s ability to heal.
If hyperglycaemia goes untreated and blood sugar levels rise extremely high, symptoms may become severe and include:
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Nausea or vomiting
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Shortness of breath
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Fruity-smelling breath (a sign of ketones building up)
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Confusion or difficulty staying awake
These signs may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a dangerous condition that requires emergency medical attention.
How Is hyperglycaemia diagnosed?
If you’re experiencing symptoms or have risk factors like diabetes in your family, your healthcare provider may order several tests:
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Fasting Blood Glucose Test: Measures blood sugar after at least 8 hours of fasting.
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Random Blood Sugar Test: Taken at any time, regardless of when you last ate.
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HbA1c Test: Measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, providing a broader picture of glucose control.
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Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: Measures blood sugar before and after drinking a sugary drink to see how your body handles glucose.
Managing and preventing hyperglycaemia
Managing blood sugar is crucial to prevent the complications of hyperglycaemia. Here’s what you can do:
1. Adopt a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
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Focus on whole foods like vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats.
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Limit sugary drinks and processed foods.
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Spread your carbohydrate intake evenly throughout the day.
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Consider working with a registered dietitian to personalise your meal plan.
2. Regular physical activity Exercise helps your body use insulin more effectively and lowers blood sugar. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, such as walking, cycling or swimming.
3. Take medication as prescribed For those with diabetes, following your medication or insulin regimen is key. Regularly monitor your blood sugar and adjust your treatment plan in consultation with your healthcare provider.
4. Manage stress levels Stress hormones like cortisol can increase blood sugar. Incorporate stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises or hobbies you enjoy.
5. Stay hydrated Drinking plenty of water helps the kidneys flush out excess glucose.
6. Monitor blood sugar regularly Using a glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor helps you track how your body responds to food, activity and medication.
When to seek medical help
While occasional high blood sugar levels may not be cause for concern, persistent symptoms or a noticeable pattern of hyperglycaemia shouldn't be ignored. If you regularly feel excessively thirsty, need to urinate more often than usual, or experience ongoing fatigue, it’s worth speaking to a healthcare professional.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice more serious symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing or confusion. These could indicate dangerously high blood sugar levels that require urgent treatment.
Catching and managing hyperglycaemia early can help you feel better day to day and reduce the risk of longer-term health issues. With the right support, lifestyle adjustments and medical guidance, it’s entirely possible to get things back on track and maintain your overall wellbeing.
Monitor your blood sugar with Bluecrest Wellness
Understanding your blood sugar levels starts with knowing what’s happening inside your body. Elevated blood glucose, or hyperglycaemia, can affect many aspects of your health, and tracking these changes provides valuable insight.
Bluecrest Wellness offers comprehensive Health MOTs that include key blood sugar tests like HbA1c and fasting glucose, alongside a full panel of markers to assess your overall wellbeing. These tests come with a private GP consultation to help you understand your results and explore next steps tailored to your health needs.
