Quick summary
Part of helping your elderly parent deal with type 2 diabetes is learning how to handle potential problems that accompany this diagnosis. Even people who generally keep their diabetes under control may find themselves dealing with an emergency situation, and such situations more often affect seniors. Find out what these potentially dire diabetes complications are and what you can do to help your parent solve or avoid them.
Back to TopHyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome
What it is:
This condition, which also goes by the acronyms HHNS or HONK, is an emergency condition most frequently seen in older people whose blood glucose level is very high. Typically, an underlying illness such as pneumonia, a urinary tract or other infection, or failure to follow a diabetes treatment plan triggers the disorder. HHNS causes severe dehydration, and, left untreated, it can lead to seizures, coma, and even death. The disorder may take days or weeks to develop.
Symptoms:
- Blood sugar level over 600 mg/dL
- Increased urination at first, followed by less frequent but very dark urine
- Dry, parched mouth
- Extreme thirst (which may gradually disappear)
- Warm, dry skin with no sweat
- Rapid pulse
- High fever (over 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Sleepiness or confusion
- Loss of vision
- Hallucinations
- Weakness on one side of the body
How to treat it:
This is an emergency condition that requires immediate attention. Call 911 or take your parent to the nearest hospital.
How to prevent it:
- Your parent should check his blood sugar regularly, such as before or after meals, upon waking, and before bedtime. Talk with your parent's main diabetes care provider about when and how often to test.
- Find out from your parent's care provider about his target blood sugar range and when he should call if his blood sugar readings are too high.
- If your parent is sick or has an infection, he should check his blood sugar more often.
Ketoacidosis
What it is:
This disorder, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, occurs when your parent has harmfully high levels of ketones, or acids, building up in his blood. Ketones are a chemical produced when there's a shortage of insulin in the blood and the body is forced to break down fat for energy. Ketones can spill over into the urine when your parent's body doesn't have enough insulin, and essentially it act as a poison.
Symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing, rapid breath, or shortness of breath
- Breath that smells fruity
- A very dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Extreme tiredness, drowsiness, or weakness
- Rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure
- Blood sugar level higher than 300 mg/dL
How to treat it:
This is an emergency condition that requires immediate attention. Call 911 or take your parent to the nearest hospital.
How to prevent it:
- Make sure your parent drinks plenty of water so he stays hydrated and can flush ketones out of his system.
- Your parent can do a simple urine test available over the counter to check for ketones.
- Your parent should refrain from exercising if his blood glucose is 250 mg/dL or higher and ketones are present in his urine.
- Your parent should check his blood glucose often and immediately report any sky-high readings to his main diabetes care provider.
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