"Blood Sugar Over 500" Kim Soomi's Cause of Death 'Hyperglycemic Shock'

Kim Soomi, who passed away at the age of 75 on the morning of the 25th, is reported to have died from hyperglycemic shock.

Kim Soomi’s son, Jeong Myungho, an executive at Napalkkot F&B, said, “The police who investigated the cause of death informed us that hyperglycemic shock was the final cause of death,” adding, “Her blood sugar was over 500.” He continued, “Honestly, my mother was under a lot of stress because of the play 'Mom', the Home, and since last year, she hadn’t received any payment and was preparing for a lawsuit.”

It was confirmed that Kim Soomi had not been paid for her role in the musical 'Mom', the Home since last year after the production company was embroiled in a plagiarism controversy. This year, Kim Soomi was actively performing in the musical, which likely led to significant physical exhaustion, causing fatigue to accumulate.

Hyperglycemic shock, blood sugar levels over 500mg/dL... Leads to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and cardiac arrest

Hyperglycemic shock, the reported cause of Kim Soo-mi’s death, is a medical emergency that occurs when blood sugar levels become extremely high.

According to diabetes education materials from Samsung Medical Center, when blood sugar exceeds 180mg/dL, sugar begins to be excreted through the urine, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, frequent urination, extreme hunger, dry skin and mouth, and blurred vision.

Her son’s comment that her "blood sugar was over 500" means that her blood sugar level exceeded 500mg/dL, which is a very serious state requiring immediate medical treatment.

A blood sugar level over 500mg/dL can likely lead to acute complications related to diabetes, such as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) or Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS). Both conditions are considered forms of hyperglycemic shock and can result in cardiac arrest due to failure in blood sugar regulation.

HHS, which mirrors Kim Soomi’s condition, mostly occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes, where blood sugar levels become extremely high (usually over 600mg/dL). As the kidneys excrete excess sugar through urine, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance develop. Since ketone bodies are not typically produced in this condition, acidosis does not occur, but the high osmolarity in the blood can affect the brain and nervous system, leading to a coma or severe mental confusion. Without proper treatment, the dehydration and circulation problems can lead to cardiac arrest or kidney failure.

DKA, on the other hand, primarily affects patients with type 1 diabetes but can also occur in those with type 2 diabetes. It arises from a lack of insulin, causing the body to use fat for energy, which leads to the production of ketone bodies. This process results in metabolic acidosis, where the blood becomes acidic. Blood sugar levels are high (generally over 250mg/dL), and ketone bodies accumulate, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a state of unconsciousness. If not treated early, DKA can lead to severe electrolyte imbalance and dehydration, resulting in cardiac arrest or multiple organ failure.

Both HHS and DKA typically cause cardiac arrest through dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, acid-base imbalance, increased blood viscosity, and vascular damage.

The major causes of hyperglycemic shock can be divided into three categories:

1. Failure to inject sufficient insulin or missing an injection can lead to hyperglycemia.
2. External factors such as stress or infection can increase the body's demand for insulin.
3. Medications like steroids or some diuretics can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar.

Symptoms of hyperglycemic shock include extreme thirst, excessive urination, dehydration, confusion, loss of consciousness, rapid breathing (especially in DKA), abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting (commonly seen in DKA).

Hyperglycemic shock requires immediate treatment, including intravenous fluid therapy and insulin administration to control blood sugar and electrolyte levels. If blood sugar exceeds 500mg/dL, as in Kim Soomi's case, it is critical to visit a medical facility immediately for intravenous fluids, insulin therapy, and electrolyte correction. It is also important to stay hydrated, though sugary drinks should be avoided to reduce the risk of further complications.