A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state?

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See answer details.: Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state is a complication of diabetes mellitus in which high blood glucose levels cause severe dehydration and an increase in serum osmolarity (relative concentration of solute); it is associated with a high risk of complications, including possible coma and death. It is related to diabetic ketoacidosis (dka), another complication of diabetes, but lacks the ketones of dka.

Answered 2/18/2015

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Dr. DawnRenee Cinocco answered

Specializes in Geriatrics

High Sugars : Super high blood sugars cause the osmolalrity of the blood to be increased. For example, pour a spooful of sugar into a cup of water and stir it up, then pour a cupful of sugar into that same cup of water. Notice how thick the water is getting? Now pour two more cups of sugar into that same up of water. That is hyperosmolar. This state of hyperosmolarity causes dehydration ultimately.

Answered 3/26/2013

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