What is Sepsis?

Is it Sepsis? Don't Wait to Find Out.

This is a post prepared under a contract funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and written on behalf of the Mom It Forward Influencer Network for use in CDC’s Get Ahead of Sepsis educational effort. Opinions on this blog are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CDC.

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is life-threatening, and without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly cause tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have—in your skin, lungs, urinary tract or somewhere else—triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. This could include small skin infections from a bug bite, a burn, or any injury to the skin.

For yourself, and as a caregiver, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of sepsis. If you or someone you love has a chronic medical condition, such as an autoimmune disease, you need to pay special attention to infections that aren't improving.

Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection can lead to sepsis. Certain people are at higher risk:

• Adults 65 or older
• People with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease
• People with weakened immune system
• Children younger than one

We've often shared about our personal struggles with a “bad” diabetic. Bad refers to the fact that he won't go see a doctor. The typical excuse is that he doesn't have time, he doesn't have insurance, or he just doesn't like hospitals. It's frustrating and upsetting to the family. Not just our immediate family with young children, but to his older children, his parents, my parents, and anyone who cares about him.

I knew that diabetics had an increased risk of skin infections in the legs and feet, but I wasn't aware of the signs and symptoms of sepsis.

So, I'm warning and begging all of you who have loved ones, (that's every one of you) please be aware of the signs and symptoms of sepsis. Sepsis is life-threatening and without timely treatment sepsis can rapidly cause tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Time matters.

Know the signs and symptoms of sepsis

Sepsis signs and symptoms can include one or a combination of the following:

• Confusion or disorientation
• Shortness of breath
• High heart rate
• Fever, or shivering, or feeling very cold
• Extreme pain or discomfort
• Clammy or sweaty skin

Knowing the signs and symptoms of sepsis can save lives. Get Ahead of Sepsis encourages patients, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals to know the risks, spot the signs and symptoms, and act fast when they suspect sepsis.

Sepsis is a medical emergency. If you or your loved one suspects sepsis or has an infection that's not getting better or is getting worse, ask your doctor or nurse, "Could this infection be leading to sepsis?"

To learn more about sepsis and how to prevent infections, visit www.cdc.gov/sepsis.

For more information about antibiotic prescribing and use, visit www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use.

Salted Strawberry Smoothie with Banana Recipe

Sugar Free Smoothie Recipe: Salted Strawberry Banana

Are you a fan of the Salted Caramel Recipe Trend? Why should Caramel get all of the love? Sea Salt your smoothies for a delicious dish! This Salted Strawberry Smoothie with Banana Recipe is sugar free and gluten free. Serve it for breakfast, brunch, or as a low cal dessert. Enjoy!

Salted Strawberry Smoothie with Banana Recipe.

This post contains affiliate links.

Diabetic Who Doesn't Take Care of Themselves: Family Focus

Living with a Ticking Time Bomb: A Bad Diabetic

Do you live with a diabetic? I mean a bad diabetic. You know what I mean, they have diabetes. They must take Glucophage or Insulin or both. They should test blood sugar levels several times a day. They must test blood sugar levels once per day, but instead, they do nothing. Well, that is not exactly true. They eat sweets, skip meals, and do far too much on a workday. Do you know the type? If so, read on about our personal struggle of living with a bad diabetic. What can you do?

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.

Share on faceboShare on twittShare on email

Looking for Low Carb Bread Items for the Diabetic in your Family?

Where can you buy bread for diabetics?

We struggle to find low carb bread items for those cravings. My Diabetic won't eat "dirty bread", and it is a good thing. Those wheat breads they sell in the grocery store have 70 calories and 15 grams of carbs per slice vs. the classic white version with 70 calories and  13 grams of carbs.  2 grams difference? At least my kids buy it when I tell them it tastes the same, but it has more sodium! I'm not sure what the point is besides just another way to confuse consumers. I do like those nutty, grain wheat breads, but I can't sell it to anyone else in the family!

I just stumbled upon a Low Carb Grocery store based in Canada. (They have good shipping rates to the U.S.) They have tons of items and list the nutritional information on the site. There are several varieties of whole wheat Pita breads and I came across a low carb pita bread I think will pass the test.

I've been replacing sandwich bread with pitas. I just load everything in, wrap it up and for added yum value toast it in a skillet for about 45 seconds on each side. After 9 years, I have finally convinced my diabetic that sandwich bread is the issue. We've been tracking his sugar level and while it still isn't in range it has dropped hundreds of points (yes, I mean hundreds). Bread is our biggest battle. What are your hurdles?

I found flavorings and syrups on the site too, I'm going to give those a go. Maybe, by this time next year he'll be in the 70-120 range. Last year, his normal levels were over 500 with medication. This year, he is staying around 200-500 with insulin. Here is an article regarding healthy levels. Good luck with your battles. We still have a lot of work to do.

Tweet
The opinions in this post are my own.