Blood sugar

A patient may be given steroids to decrease inflammation. One of the side effects of steroid use is a raise in blood glucose (blood sugar). A patient who is pre-diabetic or is actually diabetic will show an increase in blood sugar. They will need insulin to counteract the raise in blood sugar.
When reading a lab report, check to see what the lab indicates as a normal blood sugar as the values vary slightly per facility.
It is important for such patients to have their A1C level checked every three months. This value indicates the amount of time a patient's blood glucose is above normal. A value >7 means that the patient's blood glucose is not controlled. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), blood sugar before eating should be between 70-130 mg/dl. It is important to manage blood sugar, as elevated blood glucose can cause to sever damage to the body. It can lead to blindness, neuropathy (nerve damage), kidney damage, etc...
Please check the ADA website for more information on Type 2 Diabetes.
After the patient finishes the course of steroids, they may still have Type 2 diabetes requiring medication. Some patients require insulin, others may do well on oral medication.
Fluctuations in blood sugar can cause behavior changes. Patients maybe cranky when their blood sugar is elevated or extremely low. Please check the ADA website for signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar).
The management of diabetes is a triangle. It demands a careful management of diet, exercise and insulin. Exercise can lower insulin requirements. A well managed diet may also reduce insulin requirements. A diabetic patient in the hospital with limited mobility will have increased insulin requirements.
The ADA website lists warning signs of Diabetes. Please see your doctor if you think you may be diabetic.