Advertisement

		Ask the Diabetes Team	Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Guide to CWD Help with Error Messages Index Privacy Policy Search Site Map --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Get CWD Products Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Question: From Illinois, USA: I read an article about hyperglycemia being a cause of seizure. Can a seizure be interpreted as a safeguard, in other words, an internal mechanism telling the body it's in trouble? Where can I find more information? Answer: I have never (knowingly) seen and am not aware that hyperglycemia, per se, "causes" seizures. A convulsion typically leads to some minor breakdown of skeletal muscle which will also have led to some increase in the serum glucose. In addition, the extra adrenaline and cortisol made during a convulsion can lead to higher glucose levels. So, a convulsion can lead to higher glucoses, not typically the other way around. On the other hand, with SEVERELY elevated glucose levels (e.g. over 800 mg/dL [44.4 mmol/L]), there can be sluggish blood flow to the brain and this can lead to changes in level of consciousness or, perhaps, a seizure. It is not the high blood glucose directly, but rather the affect upon blood and nutrient flow to the brain. For people who have diabetes and have marked increases in glucose, this same principle applies. Again, they typically do NOT have seizures, but can have diminished levels of alertness. In fact, too rapid lowering of the glucose can be dangerous also and could be associated with brain swelling, damage, etc., which could lead to serious altered levels of awareness and possibly convulsions. DS DTQ-20050927000420 Original posting 10 Oct 2005 Posted to Hyperglycemia and DKA and Other

Advertisement

Not Helpful  1 2 3 4 5  Very Helpful                  E-mail Page     Print Format
			Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Guide to CWD Help with Error Messages Index Privacy Policy Search Site Map --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Get CWD Products Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Last Updated: Sun Jan 15 12:10:18 2006
This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other health care professional.

This site is published by Children With Diabetes, Inc, which is responsible for its contents.
By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Legal Notice and Privacy Policy.
© Children with Diabetes, Inc. 1995-2009. Comments and Feedback.