Hypers and DKA

When levels go too high

Hyperglycaemia

Hyperglycaemia – hypers – happen when blood glucose levels go too high.

Some of the reasons hypers happen are:

• missing an insulin dose or taking too little insulin
• eating more sugary or starchy food than usual
• over-treating a hypo
• stress
• being unwell with an infection.

The symptoms include:

• increased thirst and urination
• headaches
• lethargy/lack of energy
• stomach pain.

You will need to drink lots of sugar-free fluids and may need extra insulin. You will also need to test for ketoacidosis (see below). Talk to your healthcare team for more detailed advice about how to recognise and treat a hyper.

Your comments

been in dka so manytime u dont need to know (12 time this year) – Charlie

my bro has type 1 diabetes his 24 but he has got bad control he has blood sugars of 30 plus he has leg problems. his kidneys are leaking and he has popped blood vessels in his eyes and the doctor said he has got about 5 years left to live. i know no one can help but i just wanted to see if anyone can.

thanks from me – Anonymous

Living with diabeties is very hard, and having DKA is even worse, because i wasnt looking after my diabetes i got DKA i cant remember what it is called but i was in hospital for 6 days and they wer thinking of putting me in intensive care, i couldnt walk, i couldnt shower, i was always tired, i was near to collapsing and dying, this was going on for months with my high sugars. it was awful when i finally got better i thought that people have got far worse things than me and there i was just sitting in the hospital watching people get better and worse. my nurse told me that i didnt relize how ill i actually was and that at any minute i could of just died with the snap of your fingers. ive been told just to live life to the fullist and diabetes cant rule me i have to rule it. – Molly

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