Definition of Hyperglycemia

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Hyperglycemia: A high blood sugar. An elevated level specifically of the sugar glucose in the blood.

Hyperglycemia is often found in diabetes mellitus. It occurs when the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it has to turn glucose into energy. Hyperglycemia may also occur in Cushing's syndrome and other conditions.

The signs of hyperglycemia are polydipsia (a great thirst), polyuria (a need to urinate often), and a dry mouth.

The term "hyperglycemia" comes from the Greek "hyper-" = high, over, beyond, above + "glykys" = sweet + "haima" = blood. High sweetness (sugar) in the blood.