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Hyperglycemia means high levels of glucose in blood. In Type 1 diabetes high blood glucose happens when the body has no or too little insulin. Therefore insulin has to be provided from outside the body. If this outside or external insulin is not provided to the body, the glucose levels become high and this high blood glucose (Hyperglycemia) will cause immediate and long-term complications.

• You have not taken enough insulin
• You have eaten more
• You are sick
• You are under stress

Most people with Type 1 diabetes have symptoms of high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). This includes:

• Excessive thirst
• Feeling tired
• Need to urinate frequently
• Losing weight
• Blurred vision

Less commonly, there are symptoms of a problem called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). People with DKA have symptoms of high blood sugar (see above) as well as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, and sometimes coma. DKA is a medical emergency and must be treated promptly and patient needs hospitalization.

Presence of hyperglycemia can be indicated by symptoms or blood glucose monitoring. In Type 1 diabetes, the blood glucose level >200mg/dl needs to be watched and corrected immediately. These measures include:

• You may suspect that your blood sugar is high because of the presence of symptoms, but the blood test is the only way to confirm it
• Once you know your glucose level, take the dose of insulin (as prescribed by your doctor) to bring your glucose level down
• If your test result is higher than 240 mg/dl, you should also test your urine for ketones

Lack of insulin and sustained high blood sugar can lead to ketoacidosis. It is an immediate emergency.

Symptoms of DKA include:

• nausea and vomiting
• a rapid and weak pulse
• abdominal pain
• breath that has a fruity odor
• labored breathing
• low blood pressure

When any of the above symptoms are accompanied by 2 or more glucose readings over 300 mg/dl, you should contact your doctor. When vomiting is present, ketoacidosis can progress quickly. The immediate treatment involves rehydration of lost fluids and giving insulin.