Hyperglycemia refers to high blood glucose levels, while hyponatremia refers to low blood sodium levels. While they are different conditions, some people with hyperglycemia might also have hyponatremia.
Additionally, managing hyponatremia can improve outcomes for individuals with hyperglycemia in certain clinical situations.
Sodium is an electrolyte, which is a mineral that carries an electric charge and triggers bodily processes. Glucose is the body’s main sugar and comes from the diet. People need glucose — also known as blood sugar — for energy and sodium for muscle and nerve function and for balancing fluid levels in the body. These may fluctuate from day to day after meals, exercise, or water intake.
However, consistently high glucose levels, known as hyperglycemia, or low sodium levels, known as hyponatremia, might suggest a medical issue requiring ongoing or urgent management.
This article explains the causes, symptoms, and treatments of hyperglycemia and hyponatremia and how they relate to one another.
Hyponatremia and hyperglycemia generally have different causes. However, hyperglycemia might also cause hyponatremia, which this article discusses in more detail later.
Hyperglycemia
Eating foods, especially those with high sugar content, can lead to temporary spikes in blood glucose.
Hyperglycemia is a consistent state of high blood glucose. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough of a hormone called insulin or cannot use it effectively.
Insulin allows the cells to
According to the American Diabetes Association, type 1 and 2 diabetes are the main causes of long-term hyperglycemia. However, eating more than planned or exercising less than intended can also lead to high blood sugar. Stress due to illness or personal circumstances may contribute to raised blood sugar.
Another cause of high blood sugar, specifically early in the morning, is a surge of hormones between 4 and 5 a.m., called the dawn phenomenon.
Hyponatremia
According to the National Kidney Foundation, excess fluid in the body is the most common cause of low blood sodium, as this waters down the blood. Doctors refer to this as euvolemic hyponatremia. This is one of
The others are hypervolemic hyponatremia and hypovolemic hyponatremia. In hypervolemic hyponatremia, both fluid and salt levels increase, but fluid levels increase more than sodium. In hypovolemic hyponatremia, fluid and sodium levels drop, but the body loses more sodium than fluids.
Causes of these changes include:
- kidney problems, such as kidney failure, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease
- severe diarrhea and vomiting
- diuretics and certain other medications
- excessive thirst
- heart failure
- cirrhosis
- syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
Severe hypoglycemia is another possible cause of hyponatremia.
The symptoms of both hyperglycemia and hyponatremia usually develop slowly.
Hyperglycemia
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), symptoms of severe hyperglycemia might include:
- passing urine often
- extreme thirst
- fatigue
- weakness
- blurry vision
- unexpected weight loss
Hyponatremia
Symptoms of hyponatremia often only become immediately obvious if sodium levels drop very rapidly. However, mild hyponatremia may not lead to any symptoms at all, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
In those who show symptoms, they might include:
- nausea and vomiting
- weakness
- headaches
- fatigue
- muscle spasms or cramps
- hypotension, or low blood pressure
- orthostatic hypotension, which may cause dizziness when standing up
- appetite loss
- irritability
- feeling restless
People with extremely low blood sodium might experience the following:
Although hyperglycemia and hyponatremia are different conditions, high blood sugar may cause the latter condition in some people.
According to a
The same 2020 study concluded that balancing sodium levels simultaneously with managing blood sugar in people with hyperglycemia and hyponatremia improves their likelihood of survival during a hospital stay. This is especially true for those with severe hyponatremia.
In rare cases, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life threatening complication of diabetes, can also cause hyperglycemia to reduce blood sodium.
Treatment for hyperglycemia and hyponatremia depends on the underlying causes.
Hyperglycemia
According to the American Diabetes Association, exercising or eating less food may reduce blood glucose. However, avoiding exercise when waste products called ketones are present in the urine is crucial to prevent DKA. People with diabetes can take medications or supplement insulin to manage blood glucose levels.
People with diabetes should check their glucose levels several times a day, either through regular blood glucose meter measurements or via continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). This can help them know when their glucose is especially high or low and when they may need to take insulin.
Learn about how to test for diabetes at home.
Hyponatremia
The National Kidney Foundation notes that severely low blood sodium can be an emergency. Often, a doctor will need to treat the underlying health problem to return sodium levels to typical levels. Depending on the type of hyponatremia, this might involve:
- receiving intravenous (IV) fluids
- taking medications that help the body remove extra water without losing sodium
- reducing water intake
- adding more salt to the diet
- taking different medications or adjusted doses
- adjusting dialysis settings
People who engage in vigorous exercise may benefit from consuming sports drinks with electrolytes. These can help rebalance lost sodium from sweating.
Hyperglycemia is high blood sugar, whereas hyponatremia is low blood sodium. Severely high blood sugar may lead to hyponatremia.
However, diabetes is the main cause of hyperglycemia. That said, food intake, lower exercise levels, and stress may all contribute to hyperglycemia. Excess fluid loss or intake can lead to low sodium. This may result from underlying health problems with the kidneys, heart, and liver, as well as other causes.
Doctors treat hyperglycemia with insulin, other diabetes medications, and diet and lifestyle modifications. Treating hyponatremia may involve fluid management and increased sodium intake in a hospital setting.
