Medium urgency
-Moderately severe
It is a complication of type 2 diabetes that involves an extremely high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood without the presence of ketones.
The condition can be caused by other diseases, infections, dehydration states and medications that decrease the effect of insulin.
It presents with increased thirst, nausea, dry mucous membranes, fever and/or convulsions.
Diagnosis is made by clinical history, complete physical examination and by the usual complementary tests (blood tests, cultures).
The aim of treatment is to correct water loss and blood glucose levels, to ensure support measures to maintain vital signs and to palliate symptoms.
- Irl B Hirsch, MD, Michael Emmett, MD. Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Epidemiology and pathogenesis. UpToDate. Jul 05, 2016.
- Irl B Hirsch, MD, Michael Emmett, MD. Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Clinical features, evaluation, and diagnosis. UpToDate. Dec 07, 2016.
- Irl B Hirsch, MD, Michael Emmett, MD. Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Treatment. UpToDate. Dec 07, 2015.
- Kitabchi AE, Razavi L.Hyperglycemic Crises: Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), And Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State (HHS). In: http://www.endotext.org/diabetes/diabetes24/diabetesframe24.htm. (Accessed on July 02, 2014).
- Kitabchi AE, Umpierrez GE, Miles JM, Fisher JN. Hyperglycemic crises in adult patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care 2009; 32:1335.
- Elena García Fernández, Helena Requejo Salinas, Roberto González Fuentes, Juan Torres Macho. Diabetes Mellitus, Hipoglucemia. Manual de diagnóstico y terapéutica médica Hospital Universitario 12 de octubre. 6ª edición. 2007. 857-879.
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
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