Hyperglycemia

Glucose (sugar) in our blood is used for energy for all parts of the body. When the amount of glucose is too high, we have a high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia. If our blood is high in sugar it can be come thick and sticky, like other liquids that are high in sugar (syrup or honey), which move slowly through our body. This can eventually cause long-term complications, like damage to eyes, kidneys, or nerves, if not treated.

The term "hyperglycemia" derived from the Greek hyper (high) + glykys (sweet/sugar) + haima (blood). Hyperglycemia is blood glucose greater than 125 mg/dL while fasting and greater than 180 mg/dL 2 hours postprandial. A patient has impaired glucose tolerance, or pre-diabetes, with a fasting plasma glucose of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL. A patient is termed diabetic with a fasting blood glucose of greater than 125 mg/dL.

What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia?
*High blood sugar
*High levels of sugar in the urine
*Frequent urination
*Increased thirst

Blood sugar can be high due to:
• illness or infection
• stress
• less activity than normal
• missed diabetes medicine
• eating more carbohydrates
• a new medicine

Factors contributing to hyperglycemia include reduced insulin secretion, decreased glucose utilization, and increased glucose production. Glucose homeostasis is a balance between hepatic glucose production and peripheral glucose uptake and utilization. Insulin is the most important regulator of glucose homeostasis.

Acute hyperglycemia has numerous effects on the cardiovascular system. Hyperglycemia impairs ischemic preconditioning, a protective mechanism for ischemic insult. Other vascular consequences of acute hyperglycemia relevant to inpatient outcomes include blood pressure changes, catecholamine elevations, platelet abnormalities, and electrophysiologic changes.
Hyperglycemia