DKA (hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome) and DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) DKA and HHNS overlap in certain symptoms, but they have their own distinct characteristics. Both are separate conditions that must be distinguished during a clinical evaluation (Dingle & Slovis, 2018). DKA, HHNS (also known as hyperosmolar high glucose syndrome (HHS), is a condition that causes elevated blood sugar levels. There are many ways that sugar levels can rise. DKA patients have high blood sugar levels due to a deficiency in insulin. Insulin is the hormone responsible for absorbing components and converting them into energy. HHS patients produce enough insulin to pump potassium into their cells, but not enough insulin to move glucose between cells. Hyperglycemia refers to high blood sugar. Despite the fact that it can be caused by different mechanisms, both DKA patients and HHS sufferers experience it.
Both DKA patients and HHS sufferers often experience dehydration. The symptoms of either hyperglycemic disorder include weariness and polydipsia. DKA can often be seen in children younger than 45. HHS, however, is common in older adults over sixty. HHS can often have more severe symptoms that DKA such as seizures and altered mental states. Patients with DKA do not exhibit these symptoms, however severe instances have been connected with mental status abnormalities (Dingle & Slovis, 2018). Although they are different, both diabetes-related crises pose a serious threat to the lives of patients.