Getting Help for Very High Sugar

Confusion with very high blood sugar is an emergency. So is weakness on one side, which can look like a stroke.

A reading above 400 mg/dL (22.2 mmol/L) is serious. With vomiting, confusion or fast breathing, it means emergency care. In the US, call 911 right away.

A blood sugar bar, a kidney and a big drop for body water. Sugar piles in and the bar climbs very high. The kidney sends sugar out in urine and water leaves with it, so the body water drop shrinks until the body is dry. Last, an ambulance comes, because this needs emergency care.

HHS is short for hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome, a medical emergency. Hyperglycemic means very high blood sugar.

With HHS, blood sugar climbs very high. The body also loses a lot of fluid through urine. It works like a bucket with a hole. Fluid drains out faster than you can refill it.

Waiting at home does not treat HHS. A hospital can treat it safely.

If help is on the way, bring your emergency plan and your medicine list. Keep them together, so you can grab both as you leave.

Your medicine list shows what you take, so the team can see it quickly.

Ask your care team about a sick day plan before you need one.

Key takeaways

• Confusion or one-sided weakness with very high blood sugar means calling emergency services now.
• Waiting at home does not treat HHS, so care should not be delayed.
• When help is on the way, bring your emergency plan and medicine list.

Try it

Today, tell someone you live with the signs that mean calling 911 for very high sugar.