Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffDiabetic hyperosmolar syndrome may take days or even weeks to develop. Pay attention to possible signs and symptoms, which include:
- High blood sugar level
- Excessive thirst
- Dry mouth
- Increased urination
- Warm, dry skin with no sweating
- Fever
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Vision loss
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Convulsions
- Coma
When to see a doctor
Consult your doctor if your blood sugar is persistently higher than the target range your doctor has recommended, or if you experience any signs or symptoms of diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome, such as:
- Excessive thirst
- Increased urination
- Warm, dry skin without sweating
- Dry mouth
- Fever
Seek emergency care if:
- Your blood sugar level is 600 milligrams per decileter (mg/dL), or 33.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or higher
- You experience confusion, vision changes or weakness on one side of the body
References
- McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2012. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=15524. Accessed March 11, 2012.
- Gardner DG, et al. Greenspan's Basic & Clinical Endocrinology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=8407307. Accessed March 8, 2012.
- Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/hyperosmolar-hyperglycemic.html. Accessed March 11, 2012.
- Chaithongdi N, et al. Diagnosis and management of hyperglycemic emergencies. Hormones. 2011;10:250.
- Nyenwe EA, et al. Evidence-based management of hyperglycemic emergencies in diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 2011;94:340.
- Living healthy with diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/seniors/living-healthy-with-diabetes.html. Accessed March 11, 2012.
- Collazo-Clavell ML (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 15, 2012.
- Keeping your family healthy. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/seniors/planning-for-a-healthy-life/keeping-your-family-healthy.html. Accessed March 21, 2012.
Find Mayo Clinic on