Non-ketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome is a serious complication of type 2 diabetes, characterized by extreme dehydration, fever, weakness, and changes in cognition and vision. Emergency treatment with IV fluids and insulin is vital to prevent life-threatening complications. Symptoms include dry mouth, excessive thirst, weakness, and frequent urges to urinate. Hospitalization and close monitoring are necessary for recovery.
Non-ketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome is a potentially serious health problem that can affect patients with type 2 diabetes. Complications occur whenever blood sugar levels are very high due to an illness, infection, or poor management of a diabetes treatment regimen. The condition is characterized by symptoms of extreme dehydration, fever, weakness, and changes in cognition and vision. Within hours or days, a person can experience shock or slip into a diabetic coma. Emergency treatment with intravenous (IV) fluids and insulin is vital to prevent life-threatening complications.
Type 2 diabetes impairs the body’s ability to extract and process glucose sugars from the bloodstream. When blood sugar levels become significantly high, the blood thickens and loses water. Concentrations of salts, potassium, and other minerals become very high in the blood as more and more water is removed and excreted by the kidneys. The result is severe dehydration and the onset of nonketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome.
Most people with diabetes are able to manage their blood sugar levels with insulin, medications, and careful diet and exercise habits. When the body is under severe stress, however, levels can rise sharply and suddenly. Serious illnesses, viral infections, and extreme anxiety can potentially trigger nonketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome. Middle-aged and older diabetics have a higher risk of developing symptoms of very high blood sugar than younger people.
In most cases, the first symptoms of nonketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome include dry mouth, excessive thirst, weakness, and frequent urges to urinate. A person may also develop a fever and feel very hot to the touch. He may start to feel very sleepy and confused and start having audible or visual hallucinations. Loss of vision, extreme slowness of mind, and whole-body seizures are also possible complications. Without treatment, an individual can enter a comatose state.
A person showing possible signs of nonketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome should be hospitalized and treated immediately. A healthcare team can provide IV fluids to rehydrate the body and insulin to bring blood sugar levels back into the normal range. You may need additional treatment in the form of oxygen therapy and kidney dialysis. During treatment, blood and urine samples are collected so that laboratory personnel can confirm the diagnosis of nonketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome.
Once the patient is stable, they are usually kept in the hospital for several days for close monitoring. Additional tests may be needed to check for underlying infections and other health issues that may have triggered the onset of symptoms. It is important for patients with nonketotic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome to attend regular checkups and carefully manage blood sugar levels at home to reduce the chances of future episodes.
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