Hyperglycemia

High blood glucose (hyperglycemia) can occur any time blood glucose is above the target range.

Hyperglycemia is caused by having too much glucose and/or not enough insulin in the body. In fact, the symptoms of diabetes are the same as the symptoms of hyperglycemia. That’s because diabetes itself causes hyperglycemia.

The two main reasons for having hyperglycemia are poor blood glucose control and getting sick. If your child’s blood glucose levels are frequently above her target range, it’s probably time to change her diabetes treatment. Talk to the doctor about how to control your child’s blood glucose better.

When your child gets sick, her blood glucose levels may become unpredictable. In many cases, blood glucose levels increase. It’s the body’s way of trying to get the energy it needs, especially when your child is not eating as much. The doctor or diabetes educator can advise you how to treat diabetes during illness.

How do you prevent hyperglycemia?

Your best bet is to practice good diabetes control.  The trick is learning to detect and treat hyperglycemia early -- before it can get worse.