{"id":3169,"date":"2019-01-29T05:18:56","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T05:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3169"},"modified":"2021-05-03T15:48:33","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T15:48:33","slug":"10-signs-of-sepsis-you-shouldnt-miss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/10-signs-of-sepsis-you-shouldnt-miss\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Signs of Sepsis You Shouldn’t Miss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sepsis <\/a>or septic shock is an extremely serious condition that results from a bacterial infection, often the result of pneumonia or another illness. When we hear of people dying of pneumonia, in many cases, it is actually due to the septic shock that accompanies the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sepsis sends the entire body in a state of shock that can be fatal about 40% to 50% of the time. If treated effectively in its early stages, the chances of survival are more likely. The severity of the condition is expressed in the sudden and extreme onset of its symptoms, including shortness of breath, a dramatic increase in heart rate, lowered blood pressure and a feeling of mental confusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see medical care immediately. Quick intervention increases the likelihood of survival. Older and younger people tend to be more vulnerable to sepsis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Darkened and Reduced Urine
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you experience septic shock as the result of an infection, your kidneys may be the first target. The kidneys are vulnerable to any changes in blood flow, and as your blood pressure drops suddenly, the kidneys will try to retain urine and will not allow the urine to be released. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This results in a very small amount of urination or a complete cessation. If there is urine, it will be a very darkened color. This can also be a sign of dehydration that may be the result of fever and sweating which can drain liquids from the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The urine <\/a>may also be darker because of leaking blood vessels which may color the urine. Problems with urination are one of the earliest signs of septic shock. You shouldn\u2019t conclude the worst from urine that is merely a bit darker than usual but be alert if there are extreme changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Clammy Skin
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As your body focuses on pumping blood and oxygen <\/a>to areas where it is needed most, for instance, the kidneys, your skin can become cold and clammy, particularly your hands and feet. Cold and clammy skin can be a symptom for a variety of less serious conditions, such as flu, so it is not a cause of concern in most cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if clammy skin is accompanied by a low or darkened urine output, a quickening heartbeat, mental confusion and shortness of breath, you should seek medical help urgently. Your skin may continue to be cold and clammy as you are being treated for septic shock as the body tries to repair itself and reverse the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may be one of the less worrying about the symptoms of septic shock, but it can also be one of the earliest. It may take a while during recovery to regain normal sensations in your skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Mental Confusion
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first signs of sepsis may be a confused mental state that is characterized by a feeling that you don\u2019t know where you are. You may also feel dizzy or have less extreme symptoms such as a muted sense of panic or a feeling that you are losing control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your vision may become cloudy and may feel as if you are having a stroke. Sepsis affects patients mentally because of the toxins <\/a>that are released in the system and a lack of oxygen to the brain. Septic shock affects the entire body including the mind and emotions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may feel panic as a reaction to the other symptoms or the anxiety can be directly caused by the condition. Since mental confusion can be a symptom of another problem, this issue alone is not enough to conclude you are suffering from septic shock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Shortness of Breath
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pneumonia<\/a>, which affects the lungs, is a leading cause of sepsis. The lungs are affected in other ways as the result of septic shock. As your pulse quickens, your body will try to get more oxygen to flood the affected area with oxygenated blood in an effort to heal itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will cause you to experience shortness of breath even if you are engaged in a mild activity but especially if you try to climb a flight of stairs. This increase in breath rate may continue at such an intense pace that you may not be able to breathe on your own and have to be hooked up to a respirator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The need to breathe faster may be further complicated by the fact of an existing lung infection, which may be the underlying cause of sepsis or pneumonia. The panic that is caused by sepsis may also further speed up breathing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Rapid Heart Rate
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Septic shock is characterized by a quickening heart rate<\/a> that is can be rather extreme. It isn\u2019t like the way your heart pounds when you are excited, anxious or have just had a rigorous workout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The typical heart rate is between 60 and 90 beats per second, If you run quickly, the heart gradually works up to a faster rate, but with sepsis, the onset will be sudden with apparently no catalyst and can even happen when you are lying down or sitting. If your heart rates go above 90 very quickly, that could be a sign of danger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sepsis makes the heart beat faster because in essence the body is \u201cpanicking\u201d and trying hard to fight the infection by making the blood race to the affected area. It is important to get treatment for sepsis immediately for various reasons, including the fact that the heart is going into overdrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Dramatic Drop in Blood Pressure
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sepsis is characterized by a dramatic drop in blood pressure<\/a>. The reason for this is that in the case of septic shock, even though there is a bacterial infection in one specific part of the body, the body reacts as if the entire body is under attack and increases blood flow to many areas of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the increased blood flow, blood pressure can drop suddenly. Ironically, this extreme reaction can actually hinder the immune system from doing its work properly and it is one of the main reasons that septic shock is so often fatal. Extremely low blood pressure can relate to organ failure, which is the reason the symptom should be treated immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a patient is already at the hospital, low blood pressure can be dealt with and improve the chances for survival. However, the fluctuations in blood pressure is a reason why the survival rate from septic shock is only 50-60%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. High Level of Lactic Acid
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may have heard of the term lactic acid<\/a> from training at the gym and lifting weights. A buildup of lactic acid happens during a strenuous workout when the amount of activity your body is experiencing outstrips that amount of oxygen that can get to the areas, In the context of exercise, this is a buildup of lactic acid is not at a harmful extreme, and people are even encouraged to \u201cgo for the burn.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, septic shock is hardly a workout but a dangerous and potentially deadly condition. Although blood may flow to the organs during septic shock, it does not carry enough oxygen to enable organs to function properly and there is a buildup of lactic acid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical staff tends to be concerned by a sudden increase in lactic acid, because it may be the first phase of organ failure due to lack of oxygen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Fever
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fever <\/a>is often an indication that your body is fighting infection. In milder conditions, it can be a reassuring sign that your body is battling the invading microbes, and in the case of low fever, that it is winning the battle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the high fever in the case of sepsis may indicate the body is in panic mode and is using all of its resources against invading bacteria. Since sepsis is such a dangerous condition, medical professionals may or may not treat the fever. Some benefits of trying to lower the fever are a decreased demand for oxygen and a lowering of the metabolism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some doctors may allow the fever to remain to facilitate the body\u2019s ability to fight the infection. Whether or not doctors treat fever in a patient suffering from septic shock varies from individual to individual. In some cases, fever can help, in others, it can hurt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n