Humane Sagar, the popular Odia singing sensation, went through a critical condition when he was transported to Bhubaneswar’s AIIMS. According to reports, he was carried to the hospital on a stretcher. He was unconscious and admitted to the hospital on November 14. The medical team tried to stabilise his condition for 2 hours. Sagar was pronounced dead 2 hours. The singer, who was just 34 years old, suffered a ‘multi-organ dysfunction syndrome’ (MODS). Sagar’s family was present as doctors told them about Sagar’s prognosis. Unfortunately, his prognosis was poor. The 34-year-old singer passed away due to the complications that arose from MODS.
Sagar was transferred to the Medical ICU for further evaluation. He was still in critical condition, and his organ systems continued to fail. The medical team had to deal with the worsening condition for a couple of days to come. The shocking loss has raised an important question: What exactly is MODS, and why does it become fatal so quickly?
What Is Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome?
Multi-organ dysfunction syndrome occurs when two or more organs begin to fail simultaneously, usually as a result of a severe underlying illness.
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MODS is a syndrome in which a person experiences, not as a result of a unique medical condition, but as a result of a serious problem, such as organ complications that arise due to any combination of the following health complications:
- Severe viral or bacterial infections.
- Sepsis
- Severe dehydration.
- Respiratory failure
Chronic medical condition. In MODS, the immune system isn’t working as it should. Inflammation occurs due to organ damage. These include damage to the following organs: the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and even the brain. Once multiple systems begin to collapse, the condition becomes extremely difficult to reverse.
Key Symptoms to Watch Out For
Because MODS involves multiple organs, symptoms can appear in different forms. Some of the common warning signs include:
- Severe weakness, fatigue, or loss of appetite
- High fever, chills, confusion, or disorientation
- Rapid or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing
- Drop in blood pressure or irregular heartbeat
- Very low urine output, signalling kidney distress
- Jaundice (yellow eyes or skin), if the liver is affected
- Abnormal bleeding or clotting, often seen in advanced cases
Symptoms may develop rapidly over a few hours or gradually over days, depending on the underlying cause.
How Doctors Diagnose MODS?
A diagnosis requires careful assessment of how each organ is functioning. Doctors typically rely on:
- Blood tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and blood-clotting parameters
- Inflammatory markers, which rise during severe infections
- Arterial blood gas (ABG) tests to assess lung function
- Ultrasound, CT scans, or X-rays to examine organs and blood flow
- Echocardiography to monitor heart function
Clinicians also use tools like the SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score to quantify how many organs are failing and estimate the patient’s survival risk.
How to Treat MODS?
There is no single cure for MODS. Treatment strategies aim at sustaining damaged organs while also dealing with the cause specifically:
- Use of life support tools, like a dialysis machine or a ventilator
- Used when a severe infection or sepsis is present.
- To support blood pressure.
- Nutritional support, often entered
- Organ support in the ICU
Success depends on how rapidly the disorder is recognised and how timely an intervention is initiated.
Can MODS Be Prevented?
While not all cases can be avoided, risk can be significantly reduced by:
- Seeking prompt treatment for fevers, infections, or severe illness
- Rapidly managing sepsis and dehydration
- Preventing hospital-acquired infections by minimising unnecessary catheters or invasive lines
- Ensuring good control of chronic illnesses
- Early resuscitation and stabilisation in trauma cases
FAQs on MODS
What causes MODS?
MODS is usually caused by severe infections, sepsis, dehydration, respiratory failure, or chronic medical conditions.
How quickly can MODS develop?
Symptoms may develop rapidly over a few hours or gradually over days, depending on the underlying cause.
Is there a cure for MODS?
There is no single cure for MODS. Treatment focuses on sustaining damaged organs and addressing the underlying cause.
Can MODS be prevented?
While not all cases can be avoided, risks can be reduced by prompt treatment of fevers, infections, or severe illnesses and managing sepsis and dehydration effectively.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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