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High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)

The onset of high blood sugar symptoms (over 240 mg/dl) is gradual and intervention in the school setting is generally not required.

Causes
  1. Not enough insulin
  2. Too much food or too much sugar in food
  3. Illness, infection, stress
  4. Less exercise than usual

Symptoms
  1. Excessive thirst
  2. Frequent urination
  3. Fatigue
  4. Dehydration
  5. Headache
  6. Irritability
  7. Nausea/vomiting
  8. Stomachache
  9. Fruity odor on the breath
  10. Loss of appetite
  11. Visual problems
  12. Presence of ketones (chemicals that the body makes when there is not enough insulin in the blood and it must break down fat for energy) in the blood and urine. High blood and urine ketones contribute to an emergency condition called ketoacidosis. Parents need to be notified as soon as possible if this symptom occurs.

Treatment

If symptoms of high blood sugar occur:

  1. Test (or have the student test) blood sugar.
  2. If the blood sugar is greater than 240, check (or have the student check) the urine for ketones.
  3. Notify the student’s guardian (or physician if previously instructed) if ketones are present or if the student is vomiting.
  4. If ketones are present, the student’s guardian or physician may instruct you to offer student sugar-free fluids.
Last Update
March 29, 2010
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Last Update
March 29, 2010
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