Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome is caused by blood (glucose) sugar levels that are extremely dangerously high levels.  Dehydration (deficiency of water in the body) is another cause of the disorder.

The first symptom of HHS (hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome) is abnormally high instances of urination.  Followed by an increase in thirst (as dehydration is beginning to set in); weight loss, nausea, and confusion.

  Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic signs you should be aware of  include:

1. Dry, warm skin and there is no perspiration.
2. High fever (38 degree centigrade/100.4 degree fahrenheit)
3. Blood sugar levels in the body exceeding 600 mg/dl
4. Vision loss
5. Hallucinations (hearing or seeing something that is not real)
6. One side of your body becomes weaker than the other
7. Speech impairment
8. Increased heart rate

Unless addressed by a medical professional, the symptoms mentioned above can steadily worsen over a very short period of time and the dehydration, which becomes severe, will cause seizures, coma and possibly death.

When the kidneys are working normally, they will pass any excess glucose (sugar) in the body through urine.  If you are consuming water, it becomes difficult for the kidneys to remove the extra glucose sugar from your body and as a result, the levels of blood sugar can rise to unhealthy levels.  At this point, your blood becomes concentrated (beyond the normal range) and any passing of urine becomes less frequent and will be dark in color.

Hyperosmolarity is most often found in older persons that have type 2 diabetes and have not had their diabetes controlled at normal levels for quite some time, although rare, it can also affect people that have type 1 diabetes.

This disorder will occur when your blood has high levels of concentrated sodium (salt), glucose (sugar), and other elements that would normally help water move easily into the bloodstream.  It is usually triggered by an infection or some sort of illness that your body is trying to fight.

To keep this syndrome at bay, it is important that when you are feeling ill, you must check your sugar levels more often than 3x’s a day and drink plenty of non-caffeinated and non-alcohol liquid (every hour) to prevent dehydration.

One of the most effective ways to avoid having to deal with Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome in your life is to have your glucose levels checked often (at least 3 times a day).