Hyperglycemia is a condition where the level of glucose in the blood is higher than normal. It most commonly affects people who have diabetes, but it can also develop in non-diabetics. The following factors can cause hyperglycemia:

• Lack of insulin: Hyperglycemia most often results from a lack of insulin, which can happen due to insulin resistance and/or issues with the pancreas.

• Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance happens when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond as they should to insulin. When your cells don’t properly respond to insulin, your body requires more and more insulin to regulate your blood sugar.

• Physical stress: Physical stress, such as from an illness, surgery, or injury, can temporarily raise your blood sugar. Acute emotional stress, such as experiencing trauma or work-related stress, can increase your blood sugar as well.

• Medications: Certain medications such as corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, and antipsychotics can cause hyperglycemia.

• Eating too many carbohydrates: For people with diabetes, hyperglycemia can be triggered by eating too many carbohydrates.

• Not exercising enough: Not exercising enough can also cause hyperglycemia.

• Not taking enough insulin or other medications: Skipping doses or not taking enough insulin or other medication to lower blood sugar can lead to hyperglycemia.

• Other medical conditions: Certain medical conditions that affect the pancreas, which produces insulin, or that can cause insulin resistance, such as Cushing’s syndrome and acromegaly, can also cause hyperglycemia.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia include frequent urination, increased thirst, blurred vision, feeling weak or unusually tired, fruity-smelling breath, dry mouth, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, and confusion. If left untreated, hyperglycemia can lead to serious complications such as eye damage, kidney problems, and heart disease.