Severe Hyperglycaemia

Is very high blood sugar always an emergency?

Not necessarily. The clinical situation matters.

Very high glucose accompanied by vomiting, dehydration, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, confusion or ketones is much more concerning and may indicate a hyperglycaemic emergency.

When should I go to the emergency department?

Seek urgent medical attention if high glucose is accompanied by:

• Persistent vomiting
• Severe dehydration
• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion
• Severe weakness
• Significant ketones
• Increasing drowsiness
• Inability to keep fluids down