What Causes Increased Sugar Levels When Suffering From Pneumonia?

Posted on Mon, 10 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 Answered on

Thu, 3 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor, My mom is high diabetic and heart patient... she had fever yesterday and her cough started too much from yesterday.. We have admitted her to hospital today morning... doctor said... it might be pneumonia... but still not clear we are waiting for x-ray reports.. her ECG is varied... and sugar levels have gone high to 429... during morning when she was admitted.. she is been treated on antibiotics and some injection.. we have not received the prescriptions.. yet.. Doctor we are really feeling afraid.. would you please help us...

Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: She may have pneumonia. IM or IV injections. Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through your query and understand your concern. As her treating doctor suspected, me too think of Pneumonia or other respiratory tract infection. Any stress or infection may increase the blood sugar. That is why she have blood sugar of about 429. They have started antibiotics to control infection and probably they give Intravenous and Intramuscular injections. Thus they do not give prescriptions to you. In many hospitals, they have own pharmacy and they give oral medicines themselves without disturbing any relatives or attenders. ECG variations may be due to his previous heart disease. Now she is in hospital and do not get worry. They will take care of your mom. Please write back further when you get X-ray or other investigation reports.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (1 hour later)

Hi Doctor, Thanks for your support..!! Just now my brother called and said.. their were few information doctor has told him.... 1. X-ray report shows fluid in chest . 2. Blood caratin level 2.8 ... might increase as well due to her health conditions.. 3. WBC Count : 19,900 (instead of 4000 to 10,000) They are giving Blood thinner at 2.5 mg as per conditions might not take 4.5 mg.. 48 hours under observation and Nephrologist is coming to meet her at 6:00 PM today to hospital...

Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (17 hours later)

Brief Answer: Pleural effusion or pulmonary edema.?Pyelonephriti Detailed Answer: Hello, Sorry for the late reply. 1. X-ray report shows fluid in chest. Fluid in the chest may be a pleural effusion or pulmonary edema. Both the condition may cause shortness of breath. further cough is more in Pulmonary edema. I suspect it to be due to pulmonary edema as she already have heart disease. Blood thinners are given, if they suspect any blood clot in lungs or to prevent the blood clot in lungs or heart or brain leading to heart attack, stroke. As she have high creatinine, she may have renal failure. It may be due to her long standing diabetes. Further nephrologist have to confirm the cause for elevated serum creatinine. High WBC count usually indicates a infection and her creatinine level also high, thus she probably have infection in kidney called Pyelonephritis. As they already started antibiotics, We have wit till the nephrologist opinion and advice. Please write back for further queries. Wishing her good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar