High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, occurs when there is too much glucose in the bloodstream. This condition typically affects individuals with diabetes when their bodies either produce too little insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. Hyperglycemia is a serious health concern that requires careful management, and understanding when to seek immediate medical attention is important.
Signs of a Medical Emergency
Certain symptoms accompanying high blood sugar indicate a severe, life-threatening condition requiring an immediate emergency room visit. These signs often point to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), both serious complications of diabetes.
Diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms can develop rapidly, sometimes within 24 hours. These include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a distinctive fruity odor on the breath. Rapid, deep breathing, confusion, and severe dehydration, marked by dry skin and mouth, also suggest DKA. Blood sugar levels during DKA are typically above 250 mg/dL.
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) symptoms tend to emerge more slowly, often over days or weeks. Key indicators include extreme thirst, significant dehydration, and mental changes such as confusion, delirium, or hallucinations. Other serious signs can involve weakness on one side of the body, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Blood sugar levels in HHS often exceed 600 mg/dL. If any of these severe symptoms are present, seek immediate emergency medical care.
When to Seek Urgent Care
Not every instance of high blood sugar requires an emergency room visit. There are situations where elevated blood glucose levels necessitate prompt medical attention, but can be managed by contacting a primary care physician, diabetes care team, or an urgent care clinic. These scenarios typically involve high blood sugar without the severe, acute symptoms of DKA or HHS.
Blood sugar readings that are consistently elevated, such as above 200-250 mg/dL, especially if they do not decrease with usual management, warrant medical consultation. Persistent symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision indicate a need for professional advice. Unexplained weight loss or recurrent infections, such as skin or bladder infections, can also signal poorly controlled blood sugar.
These symptoms suggest that the current diabetes management plan may need adjustment. Consulting a healthcare provider can help prevent the condition from escalating to a medical emergency. They can provide guidance on medication adjustments, dietary changes, or other strategies to bring blood sugar levels back into a safer range.
Important Considerations
Several factors can influence the decision to seek medical help for high blood sugar, even if initial symptoms seem less severe. Illness, such as a cold or flu, can significantly raise blood sugar levels because the body releases stress hormones that increase glucose production. Monitoring blood sugar more frequently during illness is important, as is staying hydrated.
Testing for ketones is also a crucial step, especially when blood sugar levels are high (typically above 240-250 mg/dL) or during illness. The presence of moderate to high ketone levels indicates that the body is breaking down fat for energy due to insufficient insulin, which can quickly lead to DKA. If ketones are elevated, contacting a healthcare provider for advice on insulin adjustment and fluid intake is important. The inability to keep fluids down, particularly due to vomiting, is a critical factor that can rapidly lead to severe dehydration and worsen hyperglycemia. This situation requires immediate medical attention.
Newly diagnosed individuals with diabetes should seek guidance from their healthcare provider more readily. Recurring high readings despite adherence to a treatment plan also signal a need for medical reevaluation.