What is the difference between diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma?
DKA is characterized by ketoacidosis and hyperglycemia, while HHS usually has more severe hyperglycemia but no ketoacidosis (table 1). Each represents an extreme in the spectrum of hyperglycemia. The precipitating factors, clinical features, evaluation, and diagnosis of DKA and HHS in adults will be reviewed here.
How does hyperglycemia cause a coma?
Severely high blood sugar turns your blood thick and syrupy. The excess sugar passes from your blood into your urine, which triggers a filtering process that draws tremendous amounts of fluid from your body. Left untreated, this can lead to life-threatening dehydration and a diabetic coma.
Does hyperglycemia cause DKA?
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute metabolic complication of diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperketonemia, and metabolic acidosis. Hyperglycemia causes an osmotic diuresis with significant fluid and electrolyte loss. DKA occurs mostly in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
What happens during diabetic coma?
In a diabetic coma, you are unconscious and unable to respond to your environment. You are either suffering from high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) or low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). You need immediate medical attention if you go into a diabetic coma.
What happens when someone goes into a diabetic coma?
What happens during hyperglycemia?
Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) means there is too much sugar in the blood because the body lacks enough insulin. Associated with diabetes, hyperglycemia can cause vomiting, excessive hunger and thirst, rapid heartbeat, vision problems and other symptoms.
How does diabetic ketoacidosis cause coma?
Diabetic ketoacidosis coma This type of coma is triggered by the build-up of chemicals called ketones. Ketones are strongly acidic and cause the blood to become too acidic. When there is not enough insulin circulating, the body cannot use glucose for energy.
What is the difference between diabetic coma and insulin shock?
Insulin shock means you have very low blood sugar levels. Diabetic coma is when you pass out due to either high or low blood sugar. These two diabetic emergencies can happen if you don’t keep your glucose and insulin levels under control.
Is hyperglycemia a medical emergency?
Introduction. Hyperglycemia is a very common presentation in the emergency department. The presentation of hyperglycemia ranges from asymptomatic and benign in patients with mild to moderate uncomplicated hyperglycemia to life-threatening, i.e. diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS).
How is hyperglycemia treated in the ER?
Emergency treatment for severe hyperglycemia
- Fluid replacement. You’ll receive fluids — usually through a vein (intravenously) — until you’re rehydrated.
- Electrolyte replacement. Electrolytes are minerals in your blood that are necessary for your tissues to function properly.
- Insulin therapy.
What is diabetes with hyperosmolarity?
Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) is a complication of type 2 diabetes. It involves extremely high blood sugar (glucose) level without the presence of ketones.
What is hhnk medical?
DKA is called diabetic ketoacidosis and is one of the deadliest complications that one can experience in diabetes. On the other hand, HHNK, which literally means hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketoacidosis or simply non-ketoacidotic coma.
What is HHS medical diagnosis?
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is a serious medical condition that develops if your blood sugar levels get very high. Your body gets rid of the extra sugar through your urine. This leads to severe dehydration. HHS can occur in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but is more common in people with type 2 diabetes.
What does hypoosmolarity mean?
What does hyperosmolarity mean? The abnormal increase in the osmolarity of a solution, especially a body fluid, as occurs in dehydration. (noun)