What Are the Symptoms of This Life-Threatening Condition?
When we have an infection, our bodies work
constantly to protect us from it. Antibiotic or anti-viral drugs are
sometimes needed, but unfortunately, the fight against bacteria and
viruses is not always simple.
When the infection is not properly treated
and is out of control, immune system activity can go awry for reasons
that doctors can’t explain, leading to sepsis - a life-threatening
condition in which the body harms itself to protect its organs. It is
highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the dangers of the
condition and its symptoms so that you can seek medical help right away
as soon as you notice it... it may just save your life.
Why is sepsis so dangerous?
"If you don’t treat sepsis, it can cause septic shock, which is an
advanced state of infection in the body that causes very low and
dangerous blood pressure," says Dr. Carmen Polito, Assistant Professor
of Medicine at Emory University Medical School. When your body is in a
state of septic shock, it's very difficult to improve blood pressure
through IV, which means that it is very difficult to regain proper blood
flow to the organs needed to keep them functioning.
Since there is no test for sepsis, it’s very difficult to diagnose until
the body reaches a state of septic shock, but what doctors do know is
that sepsis is caused by four types of infections: pneumonia,
appendicitis, urinary tract infections, and cellulitis. Symptoms of
sepsis are very similar to those of septic shock and both go hand in
hand, so if you experience a combination of the following symptoms, it
is highly recommended that you consult your family doctor to see if you
need lifesaving treatment.
1. Cold, clammy skin
"When the body experiences sepsis, it focuses on sending blood to the
most vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, and brain, then to less
important areas like the skin," states Christopher Seymour, Assistant
Professor of Critical Care and Emergency Medicine at the University Of
Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. However, remember that skin that feels
cold and clammy to the touch is a symptom of many diseases, some of
which are less dangerous - this is a sign of concern only if you also
experience other symptoms of sepsis or you have a significant infection.
2. Decreased or dark colored urine
The kidneys are the most severely affected organs during sepsis because
they are sensitive to any change in blood flow and pressure. Therefore,
the effects of this condition can often be seen in the urine. When the
body senses that its blood pressure is low, it tries to store as much
fluid as possible, which leads to decreased urination or dark colored
urine, Dr. Seymour says.
In extreme cases, someone who is suffering from sepsis might stop
urinating completely. Therefore, if you notice such changes in your
urine and feel sick, it may be more than just dehydration.
3. Changes in mental state
Confusion, low alertness, and dizziness can all be the result of too
little blood in the brain, dehydration, and toxins that enter the body
and contaminate it. If you experience septic shock, all of these
symptoms will appear, and Dr. Seymour adds, “These will be the most
extreme sensations you will ever feel in terms of these symptoms." Dr.
Seymour stresses that these symptoms must occur with infection for them
to be treated as symptoms of sepsis, as these are also common symptoms
of a stroke, for example.
4. Increased heart rate
In the case of sepsis, you will not only experience an accelerated heart
rate, such as after a morning run, but you will feel that your heart is
pounding even while relaxed. The average pulse at rest is 60-90 beats
per minute, so if you measure your heart rate at rest and find it to be
over 90, it may be a sign of sepsis, says Dr. Coopersmith. When
afflicted with sepsis the body increases heart rate to improve
circulation and prevent tissue damage.
5. Difficulty breathing
If you do not have a medical condition that causes breathing
difficulties, except for pneumonia leading to sepsis, you may have
sepsis. As in the case of the previous symptom, this symptom is also
caused by the body's need to pump more blood into its organs, in which
case it is important to enrich the blood with oxygen
Because of this, the body tries to breathe
faster, which causes unpleasant feelings such as difficulty breathing.
Some patients develop shortness of breath that makes it hard to keep a
healthy breathing rate. Therefore, if you experience this symptom along
with a few others on this list, don’t ignore them and just hope they’ll
pass.
As we’ve said before, if you experience a
combination of these symptoms along with an infection, all experts
recommend that you get medical help. You shouldn't delay as sepsis
causes damage to the body that can develop and worsen over a few hours,
and the faster you treat it, the more your body will prevent injuries
that will worsen your health later in life.
While the treatment varies from person to person, it is usually an
aggressive process because quick action is needed; First, the doctors
will treat the infection, provide the body with antibiotics and try to
increase blood pressure by fluid infusion. They will then try to figure
out exactly what the source of the infection is and act accordingly - in
some cases, surgery or drainage is needed to control it.
When it comes to sepsis and septic shock, remember that early detection
is the most important thing in order to get the best treatment for you.
If you are concerned that you are suffering from this condition, contact
your doctor immediately.