Hyperglycemia Treatment

Treatment¹⁶ for hyperglycemia involves managing the symptoms of elevated blood sugar levels as well as reducing the risk of long-term complications. People with hyperglycemia may be recommended a combination of oral medications and diet changes.

If a person has hyperglycemia and is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, they should be referred to a specialist known as an endocrinologist.

Due to its association with serious complications, people with hyperglycemia should be screened for kidney, heart, and eye problems. Preventive screening may include:

• A yearly eye exam
• Checking Hemoglobin A1C levels every 3-6 months
• Checking urinary albumin levels once a year
• Having a physical exam to check blood pressure and the state of the person’s feet
• Starting statin therapy if hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood) is present

Hyperglycemia medication

Your provider may prescribe the following medications for hyperglycemia or Type 2 diabetes:

Hyperglycemia prevention

There are certain steps¹⁷ that can be taken to keep your blood sugar controlled and prevent the symptoms of hyperglycemia. These include:

• Maintaining a consistent, insulin-balanced diet: It is important that people with hyperglycemia eat foods that do not contribute to insulin imbalance. Additionally, meals and snacks should be eaten regularly to help prevent drastic dips or spikes in blood sugar.
• Monitoring your blood sugar regularly: Many people with diagnosed diabetes or hyperglycemia will have a treatment plan that outlines how often they should check their blood sugar. Some people check their blood glucose a few times a day, while others might only need to check their levels a few times a week.
• Take necessary medications: It’s important to always take the medications that your healthcare provider has prescribed to you in the correct regimens and doses.
• Adjust medication doses: If you know that you will be increasing your physical activity, you should talk to your provider about adjusting your medication doses to ensure that your blood sugar doesn’t rise too much.

At-home treatment for hyperglycemia

In some cases, you can manage your hyperglycemia on your own. Your healthcare provider will determine the right treatment protocol for you, but may recommend the following management methods:

• Physical activity: Consistent exercise can help keep blood sugar levels under control. However, one should not exercise if there are ketones present in their urine, as doing so can increase blood glucose levels even more.
• Take prescribed medication as directed: You should follow your healthcare provider’s treatment protocol regarding medication doses and frequency.
• Regularly check your blood sugar: Your healthcare provider will recommend the right a frequency with which you should check your blood sugar using a blood glucose monitor. They may also recommend making adjustments to your medications and treatments based on these readings.
• Follow a consistent eating plan: People with hyperglycemia may need to eat smaller portions of food and avoid consuming foods and beverages high in sugar.

Emergency treatment for hyperglycemia

In some cases, hyperglycemia can develop into serious health conditions, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state. Should these conditions occur, you may require hospitalization¹⁸ to ensure proper emergency treatment.

Emergency treatment typically includes:

• Replacement of fluids: Intravenous (IV) therapy is used to replace fluids lost through increased urination. Additional hydration also helps to dilute the high concentrations of sugar in the blood.
• Replacement of electrolytes: A lack of insulin can decrease the levels of certain necessary minerals known as electrolytes, which the body needs to function properly. Electrolytes can be delivered through IV therapy.
• Insulin therapy: Insulin, which is necessary to reverse diabetic ketoacidosis, can be delivered through IV therapy.