Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS)anddiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)are two serious diabetic complications. Both conditions cause very high blood sugar levels, but there are essential distinctions between the two.
Learn more about the differences between HHS and DKA, including the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. This article will also discuss HHS and DKA treatment and prevention.
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The symptoms of HHS and DKA are very similar.
DKA tends to produce symptoms slowly, with thirst and frequent urination happening first. If treatment does not occur, severe symptoms will quickly progress.
HHS progresses slowly over weeks. The symptoms look like DKA but can also include neurological changes like confusion.
Here is a list of all the DKA and HHS symptoms:
HHSIncreased thirstFrequent urinationDry mouthNauseaFeverWeight lossWeaknessConfusionSlurred speechFace flushingDKAIncreased thirstFrequent urinationDry mouthNausea and vomitingHeadacheDecreased alertnessFace flushingFruity-smelling breathWeight lossFever
HHSIncreased thirstFrequent urinationDry mouthNauseaFeverWeight lossWeaknessConfusionSlurred speechFace flushing
Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Dry mouth
Nausea
Fever
Weight loss
Weakness
Confusion
Slurred speech
Face flushing
DKAIncreased thirstFrequent urinationDry mouthNausea and vomitingHeadacheDecreased alertnessFace flushingFruity-smelling breathWeight lossFever
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Decreased alertness
Fruity-smelling breath
When HHS and DKA continue untreated, it can lead to serious complications like:
DKA and HHS have similar causes. They both occur when insulin does not work effectively, which results in dangerously high blood sugar levels. However, key differences between the two conditions are highlighted below.
Causes of HHS
HHS is most commonly seen in people withtype 2 diabetes.
When someone has high glucose levels, the body tries to get rid of it through the urine. However, this causes the body to lose too much fluid. If the water is not replenished or if the person continues to consume high-sugar drinks or high-carbohydrate foods, the person will become extremelydehydrated. With the lack of fluids, the body will not be able to continue getting rid of the extra sugar, resulting in very high blood glucose levels.Dehydration from HHS also results in high sodium levels, pulling more water out of the tissues and organs.
The primary cause of HHS is infection. Infection accounts for 50% to 60% of all HHS cases due to the dehydration and release of catecholamines like dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
Other causes of HHS include:
HHS is often considered worse than DKA due to its higher mortality rates.
Causes of DKA
DKA is typically seen in people with type 1 diabetes.
DKA occurs when insulin levels are low or nonexistent. Without insulin, glucose cannot move into cells to provide energy and fuel. As a result, the body breaks down fat intoketonesto use as fuel. However, the body breaks down the fat too fast, and ketones build up in the blood. This causesketoacidosis.
One of the unique features of DKA is that people with the condition have increased ketone levels. This causes one of DKA’s most unusual symptoms,fruity-smelling breath.
DKA and HHS are diagnosed in similar ways. Both conditions will use blood tests to evaluate blood glucose,electrolyte levels,pH (blood acidity), and ketones.
People with DKA have high blood glucose and dangerously low pH levels, indicating high blood acidity. They also are positive for ketones in their urine and blood.
People with HHS tend to have much higher blood glucose levels than those with DKA. It can be 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher.They also have very high serum osmolality levels (the concentration of chemical particles in the blood).
In those with HHS, there is still a small amount of insulin production, which blocks the development of ketones. This is why there are ketone levels are low or zero in those with HHS.
Other diagnostic tools that may be used in those with DKA and HHS include:
DKA and HHS are very serious conditions that will need to be treated in a hospital. Their treatments are very similar. Both conditions will need:
DKA and HHS are serious conditions. Here are ways to prevent it from happening:
Summary
DKA and HHS are two complications of diabetes. DKA is typically seen in people with type 1 diabetes, whereas HHS is typically seen in people with type 2 diabetes. These conditions cause an unsafe high blood glucose level, dehydration, and electrolyte changes. Those with DKA will also have high ketone levels. Treatment must be sought quickly to prevent serious complications, which can include death.
A Word From Verywell
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetic ketoacidosis.MedlinePlus.Diabetic ketoacidosis.MedlinePlus.Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome.Pasquel FJ, Tsegka K, Wang H, et al.Clinical outcomes in patients with isolated or combined diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: a retrospective, hospital-based cohort study.Diabetes Care. 2020;43(2):349-357.Adeyinka A, Kondamudi NP.Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome.StatPearls.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetic ketoacidosis.MedlinePlus.Diabetic ketoacidosis.MedlinePlus.Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome.Pasquel FJ, Tsegka K, Wang H, et al.Clinical outcomes in patients with isolated or combined diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: a retrospective, hospital-based cohort study.Diabetes Care. 2020;43(2):349-357.Adeyinka A, Kondamudi NP.Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome.StatPearls.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetic ketoacidosis.MedlinePlus.Diabetic ketoacidosis.MedlinePlus.Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome.Pasquel FJ, Tsegka K, Wang H, et al.Clinical outcomes in patients with isolated or combined diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: a retrospective, hospital-based cohort study.Diabetes Care. 2020;43(2):349-357.Adeyinka A, Kondamudi NP.Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome.StatPearls.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetic ketoacidosis.
MedlinePlus.Diabetic ketoacidosis.
MedlinePlus.Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome.
Pasquel FJ, Tsegka K, Wang H, et al.Clinical outcomes in patients with isolated or combined diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: a retrospective, hospital-based cohort study.Diabetes Care. 2020;43(2):349-357.
Adeyinka A, Kondamudi NP.Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome.StatPearls.
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