What is hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)?
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is a serious complication Complications of Diabetes Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. You get diabetes if your body's normal way of controlling blood sugar isn't working right. Complications are health... read more caused by diabetes. Diabetes Diabetes Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. You get diabetes if your body's normal way of controlling blood sugar isn't working right. There are 2 types of... read more is a disease in which your blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high.
Hyperosmolar means your blood is too concentrated. Hyperglycemic means your blood sugar is too high.
HHS is a complication of type 2 diabetes
You get very dehydrated, which can cause confusion, coma, seizures, and death
Treatment is fluids in your vein and insulin
What causes HHS?
HHS is caused by very high blood sugar levels, usually in people with type 2 diabetes What causes diabetes? Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. You get diabetes if your body's normal way of controlling blood sugar isn't working right. There are 2 types of... read more . People with type 1 diabetes don't usually get HHS. They may get diabetic ketoacidosis Diabetic Ketoacidosis Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes. It's often called DKA. With DKA, your blood sugar... read more instead. The extremely high levels of blood sugar cause you to pass much more urine than usual. This causes severe dehydration and makes your blood more concentrated.
You're more likely to get HHS if you have type 2 diabetes and you:
Are older
Stop your diabetes medicine
Get an infection or another stress to your body such as a heart attack Heart Attack A heart attack is when blood flow to part of your heart is suddenly blocked and some of your heart muscle dies. Doctors use the term myocardial infarction to refer to a heart attack. Myocardium... read more
, stroke Stroke A stroke is a sudden brain problem that happens when a blood vessel in your brain either gets blocked or breaks open and bleeds. Part of your brain stops getting blood. Brain tissue that doesn't... read more , or surgeryAren't drinking enough fluids or tend not to feel thirsty
Have kidney problems
Take certain medicines, such as corticosteroids and diuretics
What are the symptoms of HHS?
The first symptoms are:
Urinating (peeing) a lot
Dry mouth and dry skin
Feeling very thirsty
Mental changes, such as confusion or extreme sleepiness
If not treated early, you may also have:
How can doctors tell if I have HHS?
Doctors may think you have HHS if you have diabetes and seem confused. They tell for sure by doing:
Blood and urine tests
How do doctors treat HHS?
Doctors treat you in the hospital with:
Fluids and electrolytes Overview of Electrolytes Electrolytes are minerals that circulate in your blood. These minerals are also in your stomach juices, in your stool (poop), in your urine, and inside your body's tissues. Salt (sodium) is... read more (minerals necessary to make your body work normally) into your vein
Insulin into your vein
Frequent blood tests to make sure your blood sugar and electrolytes are going back to normal
Doctors also treat whatever other problem caused the HHS.
