Hyperosmolar Coma - Diabetic Emergencies: Diabetes
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Hyperosmolar coma
People with type 2 diabetes rarely develop DKA, but blood glucose levels may occasionally rise to extremely high levels (over 800 mg/dL), leading to severe dehydration and coma. This most commonly occurs in elderly people when blood sugar becomes elevated because of inadequate therapy, illness, stress, or some other situation, like taking a new drug. If the person affected can't respond by drinking more liquids — either because he or she doesn't feel thirsty (not uncommon in the elderly) or because neurological damage (for example, after a stroke) makes drinking fluids difficult — blood sugar levels can skyrocket.
As the problem worsens, confusion, sleepiness, seizures, and coma will follow dehydration, resulting in a condition called nonketotic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma, or simply hyperosmolar coma. This rare condition can be fatal and requires hospitalization, often in an intensive care unit. Again, careful glucose monitoring and strict adherence to your treatment program can help you prevent hyperosmolar coma.
| Last updated: | January 23, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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