Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is defined as blood sugar levels below 4 mmol/L5. Hyperglycemia, on the other hand, is defined as levels at or above 11 mmol/L.
"mmol/L" stands for millimoles per liter and is a way of measuring how much of a substance (in this case, a form of blood sugar called glucose) is found in your blood3.
Potential causes of hypoglycemia include3:
Hyperglycemia may be the result of diet, physical activity, and medication imbalance. High blood sugar may also happen when you are sick or stressed3.
Hypoglycemia symptoms can be physical and neurological. Common signs include2:
Severe hypoglycemia can lead to confusion, poor coordination, slurred speech, vision problems, and even nightmares2. Recognizing the signs of hypoglycemia early is key to help avoid worsening symptoms.
Unlike symptoms of hypoglycemia, symptoms of hyperglycemia may not be as obvious, such as frequent urination, increased thirst, or blurred vision1.
As severity increases, symptoms include dry mouth, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Sometimes, hyperglycemia signs can be unusual, like fruity-smelling breath1.
If you are concerned about these symptoms, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
There are several blood sugar control strategies to help avoid both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Importantly, managing these blood sugar imbalances involves understanding your personal risk factors and working with your healthcare team to make helpful lifestyle adjustments.
The goals of hypoglycemia treatment is to raise blood sugar to a normal level within 15 minutes and relieve symptoms3. Carbohydrate consumption, including glucose tablets, Life Savers™, juice, or honey may help manage low blood sugar5. Once blood sugar levels return to normal, eat your regular meal or snack to help prevent hypoglycemia from happening again. If your next meal is more than an hour away, have a snack with 15 grams of carbs and some protein3. Regular glucose monitoring and keeping fast-acting carbohydrates on hand can help you stay ahead of hypoglycemia5.
Hyperglycemia sometimes may need to be managed with IV fluids. This can include potassium or sodium chloride alongside with insulin infusion therapy; glucose may then be administered to maintain normal blood sugar levels4.
Recognizing the distinctions between hypoglycemia vs hyperglycemia is a key part of taking charge of your diabetes, with a highly accurate blood glucose monitoring system playing an essential role. Using the CONTOUR®NEXT GEN meter can help maintain balanced blood sugar levels, aiding in the effective management of both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
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Ascensia Diabetes Care Canada
2680 Skymark Avenue Suite 410, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 5L6
Tel: 1-800-268-7200
©2025 Ascensia Diabetes Care Canada Inc. All rights reserved.
