High blood glucose levels can lead to organ damage and serious medical complications. Hyperglycemia is a symptom of diabetes but can also be associated with other medical problems. Symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, and hunger. High glucose levels can be caused by medication, pregnancy, and chronic conditions. Treatment can include managing underlying conditions or changing medication. Several tests can be used to determine glucose levels.
Elevated glucose is a cause for concern and can definitely become dangerous. Chronic levels of high blood glucose levels can lead to organ damage, loss of circulation to extremities, and a host of serious medical complications. For this reason, when high glucose levels are identified, it is important to find out what is causing them and to take constructive action to reduce a patient’s blood glucose level.
When someone has high glucose levels, they are said to have “hyperglycemia.” Hyperglycemia is one of the hallmark symptoms of diabetes, a serious medical condition. However, high blood sugar can also be associated with other medical problems, so a high glucose level doesn’t necessarily mean someone has diabetes. More diagnostic information would be needed to confirm a diagnosis.
Signs of hyperglycemia include excessive thirst, frequent urination, and hunger. While a blood glucose level of 180 mg/dL or higher is considered “high,” symptoms often don’t emerge until the level reaches a level substantially above this threshold. This makes it crucial to seek treatment for symptoms as soon as they appear, because glucose levels may have been high for some time.
High glucose can put people at a higher risk of some types of cancer. It can also appear in a pregnancy complication known as gestational diabetes and in the wake of major trauma. Some chronic conditions are also associated with hyperglycemia, and medications can also cause glucose levels to rise to a dangerous level.
The risk of organ damage with high blood sugar is very real, especially if glucose levels remain high for an extended period of time. People with high blood sugar can take steps to manage it, ideally bringing it within safe levels and keeping it there to prevent harm. Sometimes simple steps like treating an underlying condition or changing medications can fix the problem and return the patient’s glucose levels to normal.
Several tests can be used to determine glucose levels. If high glucose levels are identified, a patient may be asked to retest or to perform a slightly more rigorous test, to confirm that the levels are high and that the test was not an accident. A number of things can affect glucose levels at any given time, and so a single result of an elevated glucose level isn’t necessarily cause for panic.
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