Diabetes Mellitus: The difference between Hypoglycaemia and Hyperglycaemia

Hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia are two different phenomena in diabetes mellitus which the patient needs to be conversant with In order to be able to identify the signs and symptoms each presents and then know what to do to be on a safe side.
While hypoglycaemia refers to an abnormally low blood glucose level, hyperglycaemia refers to an abnormally high blood glucose level- they are simply two extremes. I will list some of the differences between the two of them:

What Hypoglycaemia is
The onset of this condition is usually rapid; and the history always shows that the patient has had no food, too much insulin, or too much exercise. The accompanying signs include moist skin and tongue, full pulse, normal or raised blood pressure, shallow or normal breathing and brisk reflexes. The symptoms are headache, hunger, tremor, slurred speech and nervousness. Urine test reveals there is no glucosuria (fglucose in urine) and no ketonuria (ketone bodies in urine). Blood test shows a remarkable drop in blood sugar level; there is normal plasma bicarbonate.

What hyperglycaemia is
Hyperglycaemia is the exact opposite of the above phenomenon. It is recognizable by the following presentations: the onset is usually gradual, and the history from the patient or relatives reveals patient has taken too little or no insulin at all, there has been an infection or digestive disturbance. The accompanying signs are dry skin and tongue, weak pulse, low blood pressure, diminished reflexes and air hunger. Symptoms include glucosuria (presence of glucose in the urine), abdominal pain, vomiting and dehydration. Urine test shows ketonuria (presence of ketone bodies in urine), and glucosuria (presence of sugar in urine). The blood when examined would reveal hyperglycaemia (abnormally high blood sugar level), and reduced plasma bicarbonate.
Once the patient or his relations are equipped with these facts it is relatively easier to intervene when any of the phenomena is suspected. All diabetics are therefore advised to seek adequate information about their condition because sometimes there may not be anybody around to help them in an emergency; in that case they would know exactly to do in the interim before help comes from somewhere.