Question

Hyperglycemia
White hexagons in the image represent glucose molecules, which are increased in the lower image.
Classification and external resources
Specialty	Endocrinology
ICD-10	R73.9
ICD-9-CM	790.29
DiseasesDB	6234
MedlinePlus	007228
MeSH	D006943
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Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar (also spelled hyperglycaemia or hyperglycæmia) is a condition in which an excessive amount of glucose circulates in the blood plasma. This is generally a blood sugar level higher than 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl), but symptoms may not start to become noticeable until even higher values such as 15–20 mmol/l (~250–300 mg/dl). A subject with a consistent range between ~5.6 and ~7 mmol/l (100–126 mg/dl) (American Diabetes Association guidelines) is considered hyperglycemic, while above 7 mmol/l (126 mg/dl) is generally held to have diabetes. Chronic levels exceeding 7 mmol/l (125 mg/dl) can produce organ damage.

The origin of the term is Greek: prefix ὑπέρ- hyper- "over-", γλυκός glycos "sweet wine, must", αἷμα haima "blood", -ία, -εια -ia suffix for abstract nouns of feminine gender.

It is critical for patients who monitor glucose levels at home to be aware of which units of measurement their testing kit uses. Glucose levels are measured in either:

Scientific journals are moving towards using mmol/l; some journals now use mmol/l as the primary unit but quote mg/dl in parentheses.

Glucose levels vary before and after meals, and at various times of day; the definition of "normal" varies among medical professionals. In general, the normal range for most people (fasting adults) is about 4 to 6 mmol/l or 80 to 110 mg/dl. (where 4 mmol/l or 80 mg/dl is "optimal".) A subject with a consistent range above 7 mmol/l or 126 mg/dl is generally held to have hyperglycemia, whereas a consistent range below 4 mmol/l or 70 mg/dl is considered hypoglycemic. In fasting adults, blood plasma glucose should not exceed 7 mmol/l or 126 mg/dL. Sustained higher levels of blood sugar cause damage to the blood vessels and to the organs they supply, leading to the complications of diabetes.

• Polyphagia - frequent hunger, especially pronounced hunger
• Polydipsia - frequent thirst, especially excessive thirst
• Polyuria - increased volume of urination (not an increased frequency for urination)
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Poor wound healing (cuts, scrapes, etc.)
• Dry mouth
• Dry or itchy skin
• Tingling in feet or heels
• Erectile dysfunction
• Recurrent infections, external ear infections (swimmer's ear)
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Stupor
• Coma
• Seizures

• Ketoacidosis
• Kussmaul hyperventilation: deep, rapid breathing
• Confusion or a decreased level of consciousness
• Dehydration due to glycosuria and osmotic diuresis
• Acute hunger and/or thirst
• 'Fruity' smelling breath odor
• Impairment of cognitive function, along with increased sadness and anxiety

• Hypoglycemia
• Diabetes
• Prediabetes
• Reference ranges for blood tests

• Hyperglycemia information - from the American Diabetes Association
• Hyperglycemia in infants - from MedlinePlus
• Hyperglycemia affects brain Hemichorea/Hemiballismus

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Wikipedia