Causes of hyperglycaemia
The underlying cause of hyperglycaemia is usually loss of insulin producing cells in the pancreas or development of resistance to insulin
Contributing factors of hyperglycaemia
- Missing a dose of diabetic medication, tablets or insulin5
- New medication or change in medication, e.g. steroids5
- Overfeeding6
- Stress - physical (e.g. an injury or surgery), mental or emotional
- Infection of illness7
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia
Patient types at risk of hyperglycaemia
The impact of hyperglycaemia16-18
Managing tube fed patients with hyperglycaemia
Multidisciplinary team approach
Goals of dietetic intervention:
- Prioritise meeting the patient's nutritional requirements
- Monitor carbohydrate intake
- Communicate with the multidisciplary team
- Switch feeding method - bolus vs continuous
- Trying a slower feeding rate
- Try a high protein or high fibre tube feed