If you have diabetes, you probably know how important it is to keep your blood sugar levels under control. In addition to checking your blood sugar levels daily, it is also important to be aware of the symptoms your body shows when your blood sugar levels are high. Normally, when your blood sugar levels are high, you may feel thirsty, tired, and nauseous. However, if your blood sugar levels become uncontrollable, you may start to see and hear things that aren't there. This is not something to be taken lightly .
Why do things seem so out of place? Let's find out why.
This is a medical term for seeing and hearing things that are not there. The main reason why a person with diabetes experiences this condition is a serious condition called Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome . Although the name is a bit complicated, let's understand it simply.
Simply put, this condition occurs when your blood sugar level becomes very high, that is, above 600 mg/dL. When this happens, our body tries to get rid of this excess sugar through urine. However, when we get rid of this sugar, we also lose a lot of water, which is essential for the body.
Imagine, this is like removing the mud from the bottom of a water tank, and all the good water in the tank is also removed.
When too much water is lost from the body in this way, the body becomes severely dehydrated. This is where the biggest problem begins. There is a type of mineral that is essential for the normal functioning of our body, especially the functioning of the brain and nervous system. We call these electrolytes ``Electrolytes`` . When dehydration is severe, the balance of these electrolytes is completely disrupted.
Our brain cells communicate with each other, like little electrical messages. These electrolytes help in the exchange of messages. When they are out of balance, the brain's communication system becomes disrupted.
As a result of this confusion, you may start seeing things that aren't there, hearing sounds that aren't there, and even feeling like someone is hitting you. But don't worry, these hallucinations will go away completely once your doctor rehydrates you at the hospital and controls your blood sugar levels.
What are other symptoms of this serious condition?
In addition to seeing things that aren't there, there are several other symptoms that can occur in this condition. It's important to be aware of these.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Intense thirst | Feeling an unbearable thirst that cannot be quenched no matter how much water you drink. |
| Frequent urination | Frequent need to go to the bathroom as the body tries to get rid of excess sugar. |
| Fever | Increased body temperature due to dehydration or infection. |
| Blurred vision | High blood sugar levels affect the lens of the eye, causing blurred vision. |
| Weakening of the body | Feeling of numbness in the body, sometimes unable to move a body part such as an arm or leg. |
| Loss of consciousness | If the condition becomes severe, you may lose consciousness and fall. This is very dangerous. |
Who is most likely to develop this condition?
This condition, called hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS), is not very common. But it can develop in people with any type of diabetes. However, people with type 2 diabetes are at the highest risk. Specifically:
- For those over 60.
- For those with other long-term illnesses such as heart disease.
- For those who are sick due to an infectious condition.
What should we do if something like this happens to someone?
Imagine that someone with diabetes in your home suddenly becomes agitated, talking to someone in the room when no one is there, or claiming to see things on the wall that aren't there. At the same time, they say they are very tired and thirsty. This is a situation that requires emergency medical attention.
1. Calm down: First of all, calm down. If you are nervous, you will not be able to think clearly. Also comfort the patient.
2. Take the patient to the hospital immediately: This is not something that can be treated at home. Take the patient to a hospital as soon as possible. The emergency treatment unit (ETU) should be the first choice. If possible, it is best to call the 1990 ambulance service.
3. Give water: If the patient is conscious and able to drink water, give them some water until they get to the hospital.
In a situation like this, time is of the essence. Therefore, it is imperative to refer the patient to a doctor as soon as possible, rather than resorting to self-medication.
What is the treatment you receive at the hospital and how do you survive this?
Once you are admitted to the hospital, the doctors will begin the necessary treatments to control this condition.
- Intravenous fluids (IV fluids): This is essential to replace the amount of water lost from dehydration.
- Providing Electrolytes: These are given to restore the balance of minerals in the body.
- Insulin administration: Insulin is administered to gradually control high blood sugar levels and bring them back to normal levels.
The best thing to do is to prevent this dangerous situation from happening, rather than waiting for it to happen. The only and best way to do this is to control your diabetes properly.
- Follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
- Take your medicine on time.
- Check your blood sugar levels regularly and keep a record of it.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Don't miss out on exercising.
- When you are sick (like a cold or flu), be extra careful about your blood sugar levels, as your blood sugar levels can be higher during times of illness.
If you do these things correctly, you can largely prevent these serious complications from occurring.
Take-Home Message
- If a person with diabetes has high blood sugar, they may experience symptoms such as seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations).
- This is a symptom of a serious, potentially life-threatening condition called hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS).
- Other symptoms include intense thirst, frequent urination, fever, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue.
- If these symptoms occur, it should be considered a medical emergency and the patient should be taken to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
- The best way to protect yourself from this condition is to control your diabetes well, following your doctor's instructions.
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