Contents:
- Medical Video: Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State, Diabetic HHS vs DKA, Animation
- Symptoms of HHS
- Causes of HHS
- How to handle HHS
- How to prevent HHS if I have diabetes?
Medical Video: Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State, Diabetic HHS vs DKA, Animation
Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome orHHS is a life-threatening condition, characterized by very high blood sugar levels. This condition usually occurs in diabetic patients who are uncontrolled or even undiagnosed. In diabetic patients, lack of supervision of blood sugar levels, illness, or infection can be the originator of HHS.
When your blood sugar is too high, the kidneys will try to compensate by removing excess sugar through urine. If you don't get enough fluid to replace the loss of fluid, the concentration of sugar in your blood will increase. This condition is called hyperosmolarity. Blood that is too thick will attract water from various organs in the body, including the brain.
Symptoms of HHS
HHS can happen to anyone, especially patients type 2 diabetes. Very high blood sugar is a danger sign on HHS. Symptoms of HHS will usually worsen slowly in a matter of days or weeks. These symptoms include:
- excessive thirst
- increased amount of urine
- dry mouth
- weak
- sleepy
- fever
- nausea
- gag
- weight loss
- cramps in the legs
- decreased vision
- gangster talking
- muscle dysfunction
- confusion
- hallucinations
Immediately contact the emergency department if you or your family has symptoms of HHS. Conditions that are allowed to deteriorate can be life-threatening conditions such as:
- dehydration
- blockage of blood vessels
- seizures
- shock
- heart attack
- attack stroke
- brain swelling
- increased levels of acid in the body
- coma
Causes of HHS
Parents with type 2 diabetes are the ones who most often experience HHS. Some of the factors that can cause HHS include:
- Blood sugar levels that are too high due to uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes.
- Infection.
- Drugs that reduce the tolerance of sugar in the body or remove fluids from the body
- Operation.
- Stroke.
- Heart attack.
- Impaired kidney function.
How to handle HHS
HHS is an emergency medical condition that requires immediate treatment. Some of the treatments that must be done on HHS sufferers are:
- enter large amounts of fluid through an IV to rehydrate the body
- giving insulin to reduce and stabilize blood sugar levels
- give electrolytes in the form of potassium, phosphate, or sodium if necessary to restore cell function in the body
- treat complications that occur
Old age and severity of dehydration can aggravate the end result and worsen complications. Therefore, do not delay immediate treatment once you or your family experience symptoms of HHS.
How to prevent HHS if I have diabetes?
The most important thing to do is control your blood sugar if you are diabetic. You can do the following to prevent it:
- Recognize the initial symptoms of HHS and not underestimate it.
- Check your blood sugar levels regularly, especially if you feel sick.
- Take medication regularly.
- Maintain a healthy body.
- Exercise regularly.
- If you live alone, make sure you have neighbors or relatives that you can contact in an emergency.
- Tell your family, friends, or coworkers about signs of HHS and ask them to seek medical help immediately if you lose consciousness or cannot go to the doctor yourself.
- Always follow the doctor's control schedule.
- Immediately see a doctor if you feel you have symptoms of HHS.
