By Jennifer Ellis, DEEP Educator
Many people experience hyperglycemia and/or hypoglycemia, but do you know the difference? Knowing the symptoms and how to respond, can help you manage those blood sugar levels.
Hyperglycemia
Hyper means high. Hyperglycemia is the increase of blood sugar levels above 126mg/dl. Some people may not experience symptoms until blood sugar is higher.
Symptoms of hyperglycemia are:
- Excessive hunger
- Excessive thirst
- Weakness or fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Dry skin
- Sores not healing properly
- Nausea
- Sleepiness after eating
High blood sugar can occur in a person with diabetes when he or she:
- Eats too many carbohydrates.
- Does not meal plan.
- Does not exercise regularly.
- Takes a dose of medicine that is too low or skips a dose.
- Takes medication for other conditions.
- Is sick.
- Is under stress.
Checking your blood sugar is important. If it is over 200 mg/dl:
- Try drinking 1 cup of water every hour.
- If medication has been skipped, take your medicine.
- See your doctor.
Prevention:
- Watch how much you eat.
- Exercise daily.
- Take medicine as directed.
- Check your blood sugar every day.
Hypoglycemia
Hypo means low. Hypoglycemia is blood sugar that is below 70 mg/dl. Severe hypoglycemia is an emergency that can lead to coma if not treated immediately.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia are:
- Hunger
- Shaking or tremors
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Fast heartrate
- Anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Weakness or fatigue
- Headache
- Irritability
Low blood sugar can occur in a person with diabetes when he or she:
- Does not eat enough.
- Take too much medication or insulin.
- Exercises too much.
- Waits too long to eat.
- Drinks alcohol.
- Is sick.
Checking your blood sugar is important. If it is less than 70mg/dl:
- Eat or drink something containing sugar: ½ cup of fruit juice or regular soda, 2 teaspoons regular sugar, 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey, 5-7 sugar candies, or 2-5 glucose or dextrose tablets.
- Wait 15 minutes and recheck your blood sugar.
- If your blood sugar is still less than 70mg/dl, have another serving of sugar.
- Eat a snack of complex carbohydrate such as cheese and crackers, or half of a sandwich.
- If your condition worsens, call emergency services (911).
- Follow up with your doctor.
Prevention:
- Eat at regular times every day.
- Do not skip meals.
- Take medicine as directed
- Check your blood sugar every day.
University of Illinois at Chicago, Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center
Jane Addams College of Social Work
Diabetes Empowerment Education Program – DEEP, 6th Edition, May 2012
