Low or high blood glucose can be serious business. When your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, isn't at the level it should be, it can make you feel ill. If left unchecked you can get very sick. If you are diabetic, it's very important to stay well hydrated. Dehydration can lead to elevated blood glucose levels.
Hyperglycemic Hypersomblar Syndrome
Hyperglycemic hypersomolar syndrome, also known as hypersomolar hypoglycemic nonketonic syndrome, or HHNS, is a condition that can develop in people who have diabetes. It's most common in people with type 2 diabetes, but it can occur if you have type 1 diabetes as well. When your blood glucose gets high, your kidneys flush it out through your urine. If you don't drink enough fluids, your body can't make enough urine to flush out the glucose in your blood and it builds up, leading to blood glucose levels that are higher than they should be. High blood glucose causes your blood to be more concentrated than usual, known as hyperosmolarity, which means that there is more glucose and sodium in your bloodstream than there should be. Sodium and glucose draw water into the bloodstream from other organs, including your brain. When this happens, it causes you to become more dehydrated, leading to a cycle of dehydration and elevated blood glucose.
Risk Factors
HHNS is usually brought on by an illness or infection. Stroke, congestive heart failure, impaired kidney function or recent surgery can lead to HHNS. You can get HNNS if you haven't yet been diagnosed with diabetes or if your diabetes isn't under control. Older people are more likely to get HNNS but it can strike at any age.
Symptoms
Symptoms of HHNS begin with subtle signs like increased thirst, sleepiness and dry mouth. As the condition continues, you may feel weak on one side of your body, develop a high fever, hallucinate, become confused and lose some of your vision. Your skin might feel dry and hot without sweating and you may experience decreased muscle function or impaired speech. A blood glucose level over 600 ml/dl is another symptom of HHNS. Left unchecked, HHNS can lead to a coma, seizures or even death.
Treatment and Prognosis
If you have HHNS, the goal is to improve your hydration. You will be given fluids and potassium intravenously to combat dehydration. You'll receive intravenous insulin to bring your blood glucose down to a healthy level. Because people with HHNS are often seriously ill before they develop the syndrome, the death rate is as high as 40 percent, according to MedlinePlus, an online resource of the National Institutes of Health.
Prevention
The best way to prevent HHNS is to stay hydrated and control your blood glucose. Check your blood sugar as often as your doctor recommends. Check it more often if you're sick, since illness can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids and stay away from caffeinated and alcoholic drinks; these can actually increase the risk of dehydration. If you experience any symptoms of HHNS, call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room.
