Hyperglycemia

Increased concentration of glucose in the blood, higher than the physiological norm limits (3.3–5.5 mmol/l). Glucose concentration in the blood depends on the type of diet and eating regimen, laboratory tests are performed in the morning when the subject has not eaten overnight. If under these conditions the glucose concentration is higher than 7 mmol/l, hyperglycemia is diagnosed. Depending on the duration, hyperglycemia is divided into acute (short-term) and chronic (persistent). Short-term hyperglycemia does not cause significant health changes. In cases of acute hyperglycemia with very high glucose concentration, a life-threatening complication arises – fluid loss due to active osmotic diuresis. Chronic hyperglycemia is dangerous for health – even a relatively small increase in glucose concentration over several years can cause dysfunction of organs and their systems, including kidneys, nervous system, heart and blood vessel disorders, etc. Not to mention diabetes mellitus – a multi-etiological metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, fat, and mineral metabolism, arising from insulin deficiency or impaired insulin action. With this disease, functions of various organs are impaired, leading to their failure (see more at Diabetes mellitus).

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė