| hyperglycemia | <biochemistry> Too high a level of glucose (sugar) in the blood, a sign that diabetes is out of control. It occurs when the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it does have to turn glucose into energy. Hyperglycaemia may be seen in diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease and Cushing's syndrome. Signs of hyperglycaemia are a great thirst, a dry mouth, and a need to urinate often. For people with insulin-dependent diabetes, hyperglycaemia may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Origin: Gr. Glykys = sweet, haima = blood (09 Oct 1997) |
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