Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Recognizing Ten Common Symptoms of Hyperglycaemia Early
Hyperglycaemia means there is too much sugar in the blood.
This can happen when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly.
People may need to urinate often and feel very thirsty.
They may also feel hungry, tired or have blurry vision.
Headaches, dry mouth, slow-healing cuts and repeated infections are other possible signs.
High blood sugar can happen with diabetes, prediabetes, illness, stress, some medicines or missed diabetes treatments.
Doctors can check it with blood tests, an HbA1c test and urine tests.
Healthy eating, exercise, prescribed medicines and regular monitoring can help manage it.
Severe or uncontrolled symptoms require medical attention because serious complications can develop.
Hyperglycaemia occurs when blood glucose remains high because the body lacks enough insulin or cannot use it effectively.
Common symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision and headaches.
Slow-healing wounds, recurrent infections, dry mouth and difficulty concentrating can also signal high blood sugar.
Diabetes, prediabetes, illness, stress, certain medications and missed diabetes treatments can cause hyperglycaemia.
Blood glucose testing, HbA1c testing, urinalysis and medical assessment help diagnose and manage the condition.
- Who
- People experiencing persistent or elevated blood glucose levels, particularly those with diabetes or prediabetes.
- What
- Hyperglycaemia, or abnormally high blood sugar, and its common warning symptoms, causes, diagnosis and management.
- When
- Symptoms may develop gradually; persistent or severe symptoms should prompt medical attention.
- Where
- In the bloodstream and throughout the body, including the kidneys, eyes, nerves and immune system.
- Why
- It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively; illness, stress, certain medications and missed diabetes treatments may also raise blood sugar.
- Medical term
- Hyperglycaemia, also called high blood sugar or high glucose.
- Common symptoms
- Frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, headaches, slow-healing wounds, recurrent infections, dry mouth and difficulty concentrating.
- Common causes
- Diabetes mellitus, prediabetes, illness, infections, stress, certain medications and missed diabetes medications or insulin.
- HbA1c normal range
- Below 5.7%.
- HbA1c prediabetes range
- 5.7–6.4%.
- HbA1c diabetes range
- 6.5% or above.
- Possible complications
- Untreated hyperglycaemia may increase the risk of nerve damage, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease; severe cases may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state.