High Blood Sugar
Although people usually think about the long-term complications when it comes to diabetes, short-term or acute problems can also occur.
Both low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) are acute problems.
Although most people have heard about low blood sugar levels and may be worried it will happen to them, high blood sugar levels are also serious.
Over time, these greatly increase the risk for the long-term complications of diabetes.
What is high blood sugar?
In general, a blood sugar reading of more than 180 mg/dL or any reading above your target range is too high.
A blood sugar reading of 300 mg/dL or more can be dangerous. If you have 2 readings in a row of 300 or more, call us.
What causes high blood sugar?
Anything that can raise your blood sugar can cause it to go too high.
Not having the
- Right dose or kind of diabetes medicine,
- Being ill or stressed,
- Forgetting to take your diabetes pills or insulin,
- Doing less exercise than usual, or
- Eating more carbohydrates than usual are all things that can cause your blood sugar to go too high.
Although it is frustrating, blood sugar levels can also be too high for no clear reason.
Sometimes these high levels may be the first sign of an infection, illness or stress.
Because blood sugar levels can go very high when you are ill, talk with your health care team about creating a „sick day plan‟ to manage your diabetes when you have a cold, flu or other illness.