Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses and Risk FactorsSymptomsTreatmentComplicationsSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes and Risk Factors
Symptoms
Treatment
Complications
Summary
Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia refer to blood sugar levels that are too low or too high, respectively. A fasting blood sugar level below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is referred to as hypoglycemia, while a fasting blood sugar level over 125 mg/dL is called hyperglycemia.
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HypoglycemiaUnbalanced dietSkipping mealsExerciseMedicationsHyperglycemiaFamily historyMedicationsMajor illnessSmokingInjury
HypoglycemiaUnbalanced dietSkipping mealsExerciseMedications
Unbalanced diet
Skipping meals
Exercise
Medications
HyperglycemiaFamily historyMedicationsMajor illnessSmokingInjury
Family history
Major illness
Smoking
Injury
Hyperglycemia Causes
Hyperglycemia occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood. This happens either when your body has too littleinsulin(the hormone that transports glucose into the blood) or if your body can’t use insulin properly like in the case of type 2 diabetes.
The causes of hyperglycemia in people with diabetes include:
Other possible causes of hyperglycemia include:
Can You Have High Blood Sugar Without Diabetes?
Hypoglycemia Causes
Hypoglycemia occurs when there is too much insulin in the body, resulting in low blood sugar levels. It is common in people with type 1 diabetes, and it can occur in people with type 2 diabetes taking insulin or certain medications.
For people without diabetes, hypoglycemia is rare.Causes of hypoglycemia in people without diabetes can include:
For people with diabetes, accidentally injecting the wrong insulin type, too much insulin, or injecting directly into the muscle (instead of just under the skin) can cause low blood sugar.
Other causes of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes include:
HyperglycemiaFatigueVision changesExcessive thirstFruity breathIncreased hungerNausea, vomitingHypoglycemiaHeadacheShakingSweatingHungerFast heartbeat
HyperglycemiaFatigueVision changesExcessive thirstFruity breathIncreased hungerNausea, vomiting
Fatigue
Vision changes
Excessive thirst
Fruity breath
Increased hunger
Nausea, vomiting
HypoglycemiaHeadacheShakingSweatingHungerFast heartbeat
Headache
Shaking
Sweating
Hunger
Fast heartbeat
Hyperglycemia Symptoms
While hyperglycemia symptoms can start small and insignificantly, the longer your blood sugar is high, the worse these symptoms can become. Typically, hyperglycemia starts withfatigue, headache, frequent urination, and increased thirst. Over time, symptoms can progress tonauseaand vomiting, shortness of breath, and coma.
Recognizing the symptoms of high blood sugar and treating them early are key to avoiding serious complications.
Symptoms of High Blood Sugar in People Without Diabetes
Hypoglycemia Symptoms
Hypoglycemia symptoms also tend to start slowly and may not be recognized at first, but without treatment, symptoms tend to become more serious.
The common symptoms related to low blood sugar include shakiness, hunger, fast heart rate (tachycardia), and sweating. They also can include irritability, inability to concentrate, and dizziness.
If your blood sugar levels are dangerously low (below 54 mg/dL), severe symptoms can occur. These symptoms can include confusion, behavioral changes, slurred speech, clumsy movements,blurred vision, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
HyperglycemiaFast-acting insulinRegular exercise planWeight lossExerciseSurgeryEating carbohydrates in moderationHypoglycemia15 grams of carbohydrateGlucose tabletsMedicationsDietary changes
HyperglycemiaFast-acting insulinRegular exercise planWeight lossExerciseSurgeryEating carbohydrates in moderation
Fast-acting insulin
Regular exercise plan
Weight loss
Surgery
Eating carbohydrates in moderation
Hypoglycemia15 grams of carbohydrateGlucose tabletsMedicationsDietary changes
15 grams of carbohydrate
Glucose tablets
Dietary changes
Hyperglycemia Treatments
For nonemergency episodes of hyperglycemia, a person can turn to fast-acting insulin to reduce blood sugar. Another quick way to lower blood sugar is with exercise.
Prevention should come first to ensure these spikes in blood sugar don’t happen to begin with. Some ways to ensure that blood sugar stays level and doesn’t go too high include following a regular exercise plan and eating a balanced diet. Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake can help prevent future hyperglycemic episodes.
How to Lower Your Blood Sugar Immediately
Hypoglycemia Treatments
Glucagon can be used along with emergency treatment to manage low blood sugar.It comes in liquid form in a prefilled syringe or an auto-injector device for you to inject just under the skin. Glucagon is also available as a powder that can be mixed with a provided liquid to be injected into the skin, muscle, or vein. It also is available as a nasal spray.
To avoid low blood sugar symptoms and complications, discuss any changes and concerns with your healthcare provider. Some ways to avoid low blood sugar include keeping emergency medication orglucose tabletson hand, discussing your condition with loved ones, empowering them to assist you if needed, and wearing a medical identification card in case of an emergency.
If you don’t feel better after three tries of the 15-15 rule or if your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider or 911. Healthcare providers can use a medication called glucagon. They inject it with a needle or squirt it up your nose.
HyperglycemiaEye damageKidney damagePeripheral neuropathy (nerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord) and autonomic neuropathy (damage to nerves controlling involuntary bodily functions)HypoglycemiaSeizuresLoss of consciousnessFalls or accidentsDeath
HyperglycemiaEye damageKidney damagePeripheral neuropathy (nerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord) and autonomic neuropathy (damage to nerves controlling involuntary bodily functions)
Eye damage
Kidney damage
Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord) and autonomic neuropathy (damage to nerves controlling involuntary bodily functions)
HypoglycemiaSeizuresLoss of consciousnessFalls or accidentsDeath
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Falls or accidents
Death
Hyperglycemia Complications
Complications of hyperglycemia can affect various body systems, from your eyes to your nerves. Additionally, ongoing high blood sugar can lead to worsening heart disease and peripheral arterial disease.
Treatment and outlook depend on the person’s individual needs and circumstances. If hyperglycemia happens during pregnancy, it is considered serious since it can cause damage to the fetus and mother.
Pregnancy can change how the body regulates blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes is a complication of pregnancy and should be closely monitored.
Parents of children experiencing high blood sugar should work closely with a healthcare provider. High blood sugar, especially when chronic, is a sign of worsening diabetes.
Hypoglycemia Complications
Low blood sugar levels can lead to serious complications as well. The most common complications of severe hypoglycemia include seizures, loss of consciousness, and death.It should also be noted that people experiencing low blood sugar can fall or have accidents due to the shakiness and dizziness that the condition causes.
What is a Dangerous Blood Sugar Level?
Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia both can cause symptoms and serious complications if left untreated. While they can’t be completely prevented, symptoms can be managed so you can get your blood sugar back to normal when they do occur.
Blood sugar levels may be out of sight, out of mind for people without diabetes. However, it’s still important to know the signs of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia so you can take action or seek help immediately when symptoms start. Symptoms are treatable without medical attention most of the time, but if symptoms recur, aren’t changing with treatment, or become severe, talk to your healthcare provider.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).Kumar JG, Abhilash KP, Saya RP, Tadipaneni N, Bose JM.A retrospective study on epidemiology of hypoglycemia in Emergency Department.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Jan-Feb;21(1):119-124. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.195993American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).MedlinePlus.Glucagon injection.MedlinePlus.Long-term complications of diabetes.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).Kumar JG, Abhilash KP, Saya RP, Tadipaneni N, Bose JM.A retrospective study on epidemiology of hypoglycemia in Emergency Department.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Jan-Feb;21(1):119-124. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.195993American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).MedlinePlus.Glucagon injection.MedlinePlus.Long-term complications of diabetes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).Kumar JG, Abhilash KP, Saya RP, Tadipaneni N, Bose JM.A retrospective study on epidemiology of hypoglycemia in Emergency Department.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Jan-Feb;21(1):119-124. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.195993American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).MedlinePlus.Glucagon injection.MedlinePlus.Long-term complications of diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).
Kumar JG, Abhilash KP, Saya RP, Tadipaneni N, Bose JM.A retrospective study on epidemiology of hypoglycemia in Emergency Department.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Jan-Feb;21(1):119-124. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.195993
American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
MedlinePlus.Glucagon injection.
MedlinePlus.Long-term complications of diabetes.
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