Why does illness raise blood sugar

DO check your blood sugar level regularly. If blood sugar spikes over , the ADA recommends also checking ketones, which you can do with a urine test strip.

DO pick diabetes-friendly cold medications. Try to find sugar-free cough syrup and be aware that decongestants can affect both blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Your sick day plan should outline when to call your doctor, but some symptoms could signal a possible diabetes emergency.

The ADA says these include:. DO eat small meals often. Stock up on foods that are easy for a sick stomach, such as soup, crackers, applesauce, and gelatin. The ADA recommends 50 grams of carbohydrates every three to four hours, and you should generally try to get your usual daily calorie intake. DO keep a written record.

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 due to undiagnosed diabetes, so see your 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 level is. 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've been diagnosed with diabetes and you 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 see below.

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 diabetic ketoacidosis or a hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state see above and you may need to be looked after in hospital.

Home Illnesses and conditions Blood and lymph Hyperglycaemia high blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia high blood sugar. About hyperglycaemia high blood sugar Hyperglycaemia is the medical term for a high blood sugar glucose level.

This information focuses on hyperglycaemia in people with diabetes. Is hyperglycaemia serious? But then—bam! Something makes your blood sugar zoom up. You try to adjust it with food or activity or insulin, and it dips really low. Knowledge is power! Look out for these surprising triggers that can send your blood sugar soaring:. Watch out for other triggers that can make your blood sugar fall.

For example, extreme heat can cause blood vessels to dilate, which makes insulin absorb more quickly and could lead to low blood sugar.