Hyperglycemia can occur for various reasons, including:
- Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes, where blood glucose levels remain consistently high, can lead to chronic hyperglycemia.
- Poor medication management: In people with diabetes, not taking prescribed medications, such as insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs, can result in elevated blood glucose levels.
- Inadequate insulin production: In Type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels if insulin replacement therapy is insufficient.
- Insulin resistance: In Type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, preventing glucose from entering cells efficiently.
- Stress and illness: Physical or emotional stress and certain illnesses can cause the release of hormones that raise blood glucose levels.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can increase blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of hyperglycemia can include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, dry mouth, and slow wound healing. If left untreated, persistent hyperglycemia can lead to serious complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis (in Type 1 diabetes) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (in Type 2 diabetes). Long-term complications of chronic hyperglycemia include damage to blood vessels, nerves, and organs, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, eye problems, and nerve damage.