5.3 List the signs and symptoms of hyperglycaemia

This guide will help you answer 5.3 List the signs and symptoms of hyperglycaemia.

Hyperglycaemia means high blood glucose (sugar) levels. This condition is common in people with diabetes. Blood sugar may rise if the body has too little insulin or if the body cannot use it well. Recognising hyperglycaemia is important. Early action can prevent serious health problems.

A person may have hyperglycaemia for hours or days before noticing symptoms. Signs can range from mild to severe. They develop as the body tries to get rid of excess sugar and bring levels back to normal.

Spotting Hyperglycaemia

If left untreated, high blood sugar can damage organs and body systems. In serious cases, hyperglycaemia can lead to a diabetic emergency, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS). Both conditions require urgent medical attention.

Detecting the signs early means getting help sooner. This can stop the person from becoming very unwell.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Hyperglycaemia

Hyperglycaemia can develop slowly. At first, the symptoms might be easy to miss, especially if the rise in blood sugar happens over several days or weeks. Pay attention to the following signs and symptoms:

Increased Thirst (Polydipsia)

A person may feel very thirsty, even if they drink lots of fluids. This is because the body tries to reduce high sugar levels by flushing out the excess through urine, leading to dehydration.

Frequent Urination (Polyuria)

Needing to urinate more often, especially at night, is a common sign. The kidneys work harder to remove the extra sugar, pulling more water out of the blood. This leads to more trips to the toilet.

Tiredness or Fatigue

Feeling very tired or lacking energy can happen with high blood sugar levels. Cells do not get the energy they need, even though blood sugar is high. The sugar cannot get in to feed the cells because of a lack of insulin or resistance to insulin.

Blurred Vision

High sugar levels draw water out of the eye’s lens. This changes the shape, leading to blurred or unclear vision. This symptom can come and go, depending on blood sugar levels.

Headaches

Some people notice regular headaches. Fluctuating or persistently high sugar can cause the brain to become dehydrated, which can trigger pain.

Unintentional Weight Loss

If blood sugar stays high over a long time, the body may break down fat and muscle for energy. This leads to losing weight without trying.

Dry Mouth and Skin

High blood glucose makes the body lose lots of fluid. This can cause a dry mouth, cracked lips, and dry, itchy skin.

Recurrent Infections

High blood sugar helps bacteria and yeast to flourish. People may notice more frequent infections. These include urinary tract infections (UTIs), thrush (a fungal infection), or skin infections. Healing from cuts or sores might be slower too.

Less Common or Severe Symptoms

As blood sugar rises further, or if hyperglycaemia is untreated, extra symptoms can develop. These indicate more serious issues, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Type 1 diabetes or Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS) in Type 2 diabetes.

Be alert for:

• Stomach pain or abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweet-smelling breath (like acetone or pear drops)
• Deep, rapid breathing (Kussmaul breathing)
• Severe confusion, drowsiness, or even unconsciousness
• Rapid weight loss (especially in children and young people)

These symptoms need urgent medical help. They can be life-threatening if not dealt with quickly.

Why the Symptoms Happen

Unusual terms and their meaning:

• Polydipsia: Feeling excessively thirsty
• Polyuria: Needing to urinate a lot
• Kussmaul breathing: Deep, laboured breathing as the body tries to clear acid
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Serious condition when acid builds up in blood because blood sugars are very high and not enough insulin is in the body

The symptoms above happen because:

• Sugar cannot get into cells, so the body pulls fluid from tissues to try to flush sugar out through urine.
• Losing fluid leads to dehydration—this causes thirst, dry mouth, tiredness, and dry skin.
• The brain and eyes depend on balanced water and sugar; if this balance is disturbed, headaches and blurred vision may appear.
• If the body cannot get rid of sugar, it may break down fat for energy, leading to weight loss and the production of substances called ketones.
• High sugar is a good environment for germs; infection risk goes up.

Spotting Hyperglycaemia Early

Watching for hyperglycaemia’s signs matters in health and social care work. People with diabetes need regular checks, but anyone can develop high blood sugar if they are ill, under stress, taking certain medicines, or eating more sugar than usual.

Key early warning signs to look for are:

• Going to the toilet more often
• Drinking much more than usual
• Complaining of blurred eyesight
• Saying they feel tired all the time

It is best to speak up if you spot these changes in someone you support.

Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels

Many people with diabetes will check their blood sugar levels with a pin-prick test or with a sensor that scans blood sugar. High levels are usually above 7.0 mmol/L before meals or above 11.0 mmol/L two hours after meals.

If blood sugar levels keep going up, the physical symptoms mentioned will appear. Staff must know the ranges set for each person and take action if readings are high.

Risk Factors That Make Hyperglycaemia More Likely

A person may be more at risk of hyperglycaemia if:

• They have diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
• They miss, forget, or reduce their insulin or tablets
• They eat or drink more sugary foods
• There is an infection or illness (like a cold or chest infection)
• They are less active than usual
• They experience major stress (physical or mental)
• They take certain medicines such as steroids

Spotting the causes can help you prevent recurring bouts of high blood sugar.

Supporting Someone with Hyperglycaemia

As a health and social care worker, support includes:

• Knowing the person’s usual signs and what is normal for them
• Watching for any changes, like being quieter or needing more drinks
• Reporting new symptoms or extreme thirst, urination, tiredness, or blurred vision
• Supporting the person to check blood sugar if they do so
• Reporting blood sugar readings that are higher than the target or what their care plan says
• Helping the person to keep their skin clean and dry to avoid infection
• Encouraging the person to keep wounds clean and check for signs of infection

If the person feels very unwell, vomits, or shows signs of severe hyperglycaemia, call for medical help immediately.

Hyperglycaemia in Different Age Groups

Symptoms can appear differently depending on age.

In Older Adults

Older people may not always feel thirst in the same way. They might become confused or unsteady before other symptoms show. Sometimes, tiredness, mood changes, or needing to go to the toilet at night are first noticed.

In Children

Children and young people may complain of feeling unwell without being able to explain more. Bed-wetting, being very tired, or losing weight are warning signs. With Type 1 diabetes, signs can progress very quickly.

Recording and Reporting

Noticing, recording, and reporting the signs and symptoms matters in your accountability as a worker. Use the language observed, for example, “S asked for water three times in one hour,” or “noticed S needed the toilet every half hour.” Do not diagnose—just report what you see and hear.

Let the nurse, GP, or supervisor know about any new or unexplained symptoms.

Monitoring and Prevention

Take steps like:

• Reminding or helping people to take prescribed medicine or insulin, as directed by their doctor
• Encouraging healthy, balanced meals with portion control
• Supporting gentle physical activity (if safe and as able)
• Watching for infection signs, such as high temperature or feeling unwell
• Reporting any pattern of repeated symptoms to your supervisor or healthcare team

Small changes can avoid serious consequences.

When to Get Urgent Help

If you see any severe signs—such as very deep breathing, vomiting, confusion, or if someone becomes unresponsive—call emergency services. Explain the person’s known diabetes and suspected high blood sugar so they get the right treatment.

Final Thoughts

Hyperglycaemia is a situation that demands close attention from all health and social care workers. You are often the first to notice changes. Acting early by reporting symptoms can stop someone from becoming seriously unwell.

The signs and symptoms of high blood sugar are varied and may seem minor at first. Remember, your day-to-day observations are vital. By being aware of what to look out for, you play a key part in supporting people to enjoy better health and avoid life-threatening emergencies. Your attention, compassion, and clear communication truly make a difference.