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Water & High Blood Sugar

As of 2007, high blood sugar conditions affected as many as 23.6 million adults and children within the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association. When sugar levels are high, the kidneys bear the brunt of clearing excess sugar from the blood. When carried out on a regular basis, the kidneys may develop problems with regulating the amount of water in the body.

  1. High Blood Sugar

    • High blood sugar conditions result from higher than normal levels of sugar, or glucose in the bloodstream, according to EMedicineHealth. Under normal conditions, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream, which moves glucose materials out of the blood and into cell structures for use. When insufficient amounts of insulin are present, or insulin doesn't work as it should, excess amounts of glucose build up in the bloodstream. A high blood sugar condition is known as hyperglycemia. When levels remain high on a consistent basis, a diabetes disorder is present.

    Kidney Functions

    • High blood sugar levels can have adverse effects on how the kidneys regulate water levels in the body, according to EMedicineHealth. When excess amounts of glucose reside in the bloodstream, the kidneys reabsorb and conserve it for future use. When excess amounts of glucose remain in the blood on a continual basis, the kidneys are unable to keep up so some of it gets converted into urine. When this happens, large amounts of glucose in the urine cause extra amounts of water as urine as well. The kidneys would normally reabsorb this water if sugar levels were normal. As a result, a person experiences frequent urination and a persistent thirst for water.

    Dehydration

    • According to EMedicineHealth, individuals who experience frequent urination on a consistent basis as a result of high blood sugar run the risk of becoming dehydrated when sufficient amounts of water are not consumed. Dehydration can develop into a high blood sugar emergency that warrants immediate medical attention. In such cases, a condition known as hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome can develop where individuals run the risk of experiencing coma, seizures or death. These symptoms result from a significant decrease of water and electrolytes in the body.

    Electrolyte Imbalance

    • According to the University of California at Berkeley, a decrease in the body's water content can create electrolyte imbalances within the blood, cells and tissues. Electrolytes are essential minerals that help maintain the body's chemical balance. These minerals are transported through the bloodstream and reside within the cells and tissues. When excess amounts of water are excreted due to high sugar levels, the body can lose needed electrolytes in the process. The kidneys play a vital role in regulating water and electrolyte levels in the body; however, high sugar levels can impair this filtering process.

    Effects

    • Individuals who experience high blood sugar levels on a consistent basis may have a form of diabetes, or may run risk of developing diabetes according to EMedicineHealth. Diabetes develops when the body no longer responds to insulin secretions in the blood (type I diabetes), or when the body is unable to manufacture insulin (type II diabetes). In both instances, high glucose levels can have adverse effects on how the kidneys regulate water levels in the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular exercise coupled with eating a diet that's high in fiber and low in carbohydrates and sugar can reduce or prevent symptoms of high blood sugar.

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