Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of HyperglycemiaSeizure CausesRelated ComplicationsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Hyperglycemia
Seizure Causes
Related Complications
Treatment
Hyperglycemiais the medical term for high blood sugar. Although it’s a common complication ofdiabetes, hyperglycemia can happen to anyone. If left untreated, high blood sugar can lead to hyperglycemia-related seizures.
Learn more about these seizures and how to prevent them below.
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Types of Hyperglycemia That Cause Seizures
Two types of hyperglycemia can cause seizures. These include:
Nonketotic Hyperglycemia
One of the most common causes of seizures related to high blood sugar is nonketotic hyperglycemia (NKH). This is also called hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS).
NKH occurs most often in people withtype 2 diabetes, but it can also occur in people who do not have diabetes.
With this condition, blood sugar levels are up to 10 times higher than healthy levels. The blood becomes very concentrated with glucose and salt, which can affect the function of vital organs, including the brain.Up to 25% of people with NKH will have a seizure.
NKH occurs most often in older people with type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include:
Ketotic Hyperglycemia
The second type of hyperglycemia that can lead to seizures is ketotic hyperglycemia. This is most common in people withtype 1 diabetes.
When blood sugar is elevated, the body can’t use it for fuel. Instead, it starts burning fat. As fat is burned, it releases chemicals called ketones into the bloodstream.
When these ketones build up in high concentrations, they can become poisonous, turning the blood acidic.This is a condition known asdiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
People who experience DKA are at higher risk of seizures.
How Hyperglycemia Can Cause Seizures
When blood sugar is extremely high due to hyperglycemia, the neurons in the brain become overstimulated. This can cause the brain to “short circuit,” leading to a seizure.
It’s best to intervene with high blood sugar before your glucose becomes high enough to lead to a seizure. However, oftentimes people don’t notice the symptoms of hyperglycemia until a seizure is imminent.
Signs of SeizureThe signs that a seizure will occur very soon include:SweatingVision changesConfusion or hallucinationsIf you feel a seizure coming on, try to lie down and call 911. Hyperglycemia-related seizures can last for seconds or minutes, and always warrant medical attention.
Signs of Seizure
The signs that a seizure will occur very soon include:SweatingVision changesConfusion or hallucinationsIf you feel a seizure coming on, try to lie down and call 911. Hyperglycemia-related seizures can last for seconds or minutes, and always warrant medical attention.
The signs that a seizure will occur very soon include:
If you feel a seizure coming on, try to lie down and call 911. Hyperglycemia-related seizures can last for seconds or minutes, and always warrant medical attention.
Complications related to NKH include:
When a seizure occurs, you should get medical treatment immediately. Remember that NKH is a potentially fatal condition that requires medical attention. If you experience a seizure, it indicates that your condition is severe.
Administering Insulin
Hyperglycemia can have very severe, even fatal consequences. Taking steps to avoid high blood sugar, especially if you have diabetes, is critical for your health and wellbeing.
A Word From Verywell
Experiencing a diabetic seizure can be terrifying, both for the person who is seizing and for their loved ones. It can also lead to long-term health complications.
Prevention is truly the best medicine for hyperglycemia-related seizures. Taking your medications as prescribed, eating healthy, exercising, and maintaining regular healthcare provider visits can all help control your blood sugar.
Always reach out to your healthcare provider if you suspect you might be experiencing hyperglycemia. There is no shame in being wrong, but if you’re right, making that call could save your life.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yun C, Xuefeng W.Association between seizures and diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review of literature.Curr Diabetes Rev. 2013;9(4):350-354. doi:10.2174/15733998113099990060Stafstrom CE.Hyperglycemia lowers seizure threshold.Epilepsy Curr. 2003;3(4):148-149. doi:10.1046/j.1535-7597.2003.03415.xMedlinePlus.Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome.Radiopaedia.Non-ketotic hyperglycemia seizure.Gorijala VK, Shaik L, Kowtha P, Kaur P, Nagarjunakonda VS.A Case Report of Nonketotic Hyperglycemic Seizures: A Diagnostic Dilemma.Cureus. 2020;12(11):e11416. Published 2020 Nov 10. doi:10.7759/cureus.11416American Diabetes Association.DKA (ketoacidosis) and ketones.Radiopaedia.Non-ketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage blood sugar.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yun C, Xuefeng W.Association between seizures and diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review of literature.Curr Diabetes Rev. 2013;9(4):350-354. doi:10.2174/15733998113099990060Stafstrom CE.Hyperglycemia lowers seizure threshold.Epilepsy Curr. 2003;3(4):148-149. doi:10.1046/j.1535-7597.2003.03415.xMedlinePlus.Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome.Radiopaedia.Non-ketotic hyperglycemia seizure.Gorijala VK, Shaik L, Kowtha P, Kaur P, Nagarjunakonda VS.A Case Report of Nonketotic Hyperglycemic Seizures: A Diagnostic Dilemma.Cureus. 2020;12(11):e11416. Published 2020 Nov 10. doi:10.7759/cureus.11416American Diabetes Association.DKA (ketoacidosis) and ketones.Radiopaedia.Non-ketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage blood sugar.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yun C, Xuefeng W.Association between seizures and diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review of literature.Curr Diabetes Rev. 2013;9(4):350-354. doi:10.2174/15733998113099990060Stafstrom CE.Hyperglycemia lowers seizure threshold.Epilepsy Curr. 2003;3(4):148-149. doi:10.1046/j.1535-7597.2003.03415.xMedlinePlus.Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome.Radiopaedia.Non-ketotic hyperglycemia seizure.Gorijala VK, Shaik L, Kowtha P, Kaur P, Nagarjunakonda VS.A Case Report of Nonketotic Hyperglycemic Seizures: A Diagnostic Dilemma.Cureus. 2020;12(11):e11416. Published 2020 Nov 10. doi:10.7759/cureus.11416American Diabetes Association.DKA (ketoacidosis) and ketones.Radiopaedia.Non-ketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage blood sugar.
Yun C, Xuefeng W.Association between seizures and diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review of literature.Curr Diabetes Rev. 2013;9(4):350-354. doi:10.2174/15733998113099990060
Stafstrom CE.Hyperglycemia lowers seizure threshold.Epilepsy Curr. 2003;3(4):148-149. doi:10.1046/j.1535-7597.2003.03415.x
MedlinePlus.Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome.
Radiopaedia.Non-ketotic hyperglycemia seizure.
Gorijala VK, Shaik L, Kowtha P, Kaur P, Nagarjunakonda VS.A Case Report of Nonketotic Hyperglycemic Seizures: A Diagnostic Dilemma.Cureus. 2020;12(11):e11416. Published 2020 Nov 10. doi:10.7759/cureus.11416
American Diabetes Association.DKA (ketoacidosis) and ketones.
Radiopaedia.Non-ketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage blood sugar.
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