Over the last five years, I have heard more and more about sepsis.
About five years ago, one of my nutrition clients told me her husband had sepsis. They were going through a very hard time. At that time, I knew a little about it, but not as much as I do now.
Today, I understand what sepsis is, how it happens, and how to help people reduce their risk. I also know how to guide people who are recovering and want to get stronger.
I am writing this to help you understand sepsis, what raises your risk, and what you can do now to protect your health.
What Is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition. It happens when your body has an extreme and harmful response to an infection.
It is not the infection itself.
It is how your body reacts.
Instead of fighting in a balanced way, the immune system overreacts. This can damage organs and tissues.
If it gets worse, it can lead to:
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- Organ failure
- Very low blood pressure
- Death
This definition is based on the Sepsis-3 criteria, which define sepsis as a dysregulated host response to infection (Singer et al., 2016).
How People End Up in the Hospital With Sepsis
Most people don’t wake up thinking they have sepsis.
It usually starts with something that seems manageable.
A typical progression may look like this:
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- A person develops an infection (urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or even a skin wound)
- Symptoms begin, fever, fatigue, pain, or discomfort
- The infection worsens or is not fully treated
- The body’s response becomes widespread and uncontrolled
- Symptoms escalate quickly
At this point, people often experience:
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- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heart rate
- Weakness or dizziness
This is when they go to the hospital.
What Happens at the Hospital
Once sepsis is suspected, medical teams act quickly.
Standard treatment often includes:
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- Antibiotics, given as soon as possible
- Intravenous (IV) fluids to support blood pressure
- Oxygen therapy if breathing is affected
- Medications to stabilize blood pressure if needed
- Monitoring and support for organs such as the kidneys, lungs, and heart
In severe cases:
-
- Patients may be admitted to the ICU
- Mechanical ventilation may be required
- Dialysis may be needed if the kidneys are affected
Early treatment is critical and can save lives.
What Are the Outcomes?
The outcome of sepsis can vary widely.
Positive Outcomes
Many people recover, especially when:
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- Sepsis is caught early
- Treatment begins quickly
- The person has good overall health
These individuals may return to normal life, although recovery can take time.
Long-Term Effects (Post-Sepsis)
Even after survival, many people experience:
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- Fatigue
- Brain fog or memory issues
- Muscle weakness
- Reduced quality of life
This is often referred to as post-sepsis syndrome (Prescott & Angus, 2018).
Severe Outcomes
In more serious cases:
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- Organ damage may be permanent
- Long-term disability may occur
- Death can occur despite treatment
According to the World Health Organization:
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- Sepsis is associated with nearly 1 in 5 deaths worldwide
Can Sepsis Happen Again?
Yes, and this is something many people do not realize.
Research shows that people who survive sepsis are at higher risk of getting it again.
Studies suggest:
-
- About 20% to 30% of sepsis survivors are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days
- A significant portion of those readmissions are due to another infection or sepsis episode
- The risk remains elevated for months to years after the first event
This is one of the most overlooked aspects of sepsis.
Survival is not always the end of the story.
What Happens Inside Your Body?
When sepsis develops:
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- Inflammation spreads throughout the body
- Blood vessels become leaky
- Blood pressure drops
- Oxygen delivery to tissues decreases
- Cells produce less energy (ATP declines)
Healthy cells are better able to:
-
- Take in nutrients
- Remove waste
- Use oxygen
- Produce energy
When this system is compromised, recovery becomes more difficult.
Why Inflammation and Metabolic Health Matter
Inflammation is necessary to fight infection.
The problem is when it becomes excessive or uncontrolled.
Many people live with:
-
- Chronic low-grade inflammation
- Insulin resistance
- Poor metabolic health
These factors may influence how the body responds to infection.
Research shows that sepsis involves both excessive inflammation and immune dysfunction (van der Poll et al., 2017; Hotchkiss et al., 2013).
Clinical Insight: What Most People Miss
It’s not just the infection that determines the outcome.
It’s the condition of the body.
In many cases, the body’s underlying state, including inflammation levels, metabolic health, and cellular function, may influence how an infection is handled.
Real Case Example: Sharon’s Story
Meet Sharon K., age 71.
She came to me after surviving sepsis and wanted to get healthier.
We tested her:
-
- Omega-3 Index: 3.1% (optimal is 8–12%)
- Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio: 43:1 (ideal is 3:1 or lower)
She asked:
“I was probably out of balance before getting sepsis?”
I told her:
“Very likely.”
This does not prove cause.
But it highlights something important:
-
- An underlying imbalance may exist long before a major health event
Why Most People Never Test for Inflammation
We hear about inflammation all the time.
But rarely how to measure or address it.
Most routine labs focus on:
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- Blood sugar
- A1c
- Cholesterol
But few people know their:
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- Omega-3 Index
- Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
When these are out of balance:
-
- Inflammation may increase
- The immune response may become less controlled
What Does the Research Say?
Research shows:
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- The immune response is central to sepsis
- Inflammation must be regulated
- Recovery depends on immune and metabolic function
Omega-3 fatty acids also play a role in resolving inflammation (Calder, 2013).
How to Lower Your Risk
You cannot control every infection.
But you can improve your body’s ability to respond.
1. Support Your Immune System
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- Eat nutrient-dense foods
- Sleep well
- Manage stress
2. Improve Overall Health
-
- Maintain healthy blood sugar
- Address insulin resistance
- Stay active
3. Reduce Inflammation
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- Limit ultra-processed foods
- Focus on balanced nutrition
4. Test, Don’t Guess
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- Know your omega balance
- Track your progress
Final Thoughts
Sepsis is serious and can develop quickly. It requires immediate medical care. But prevention matters. The goal is not just to survive. The goal is to build a body that is better prepared for illness.
Call to Action
If you want to better understand your health:
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- Learn your numbers
- Follow a structured plan
- Track your progress
If you would like guidance, contact the person who shared this article or email me at robert@dietfreelife.com
References
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- Singer, M., Deutschman, C. S., Seymour, C. W., et al. (2016). The third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3). The British Medical Journal, 353, i1585.
- World Health Organization. (2020). Sepsis. Retrieved from https://www.who.int
- Prescott, H. C., & Angus, D. C. (2018). Enhancing recovery from sepsis. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 319(1), 62–75.
- Hotchkiss, R. S., Monneret, G., & Payen, D. (2013). Sepsis-induced immunosuppression. Nature Reviews Immunology, 13(12), 862–874.
- van der Poll, T., van de Veerdonk, F. L., Scicluna, B. P., & Netea, M. G. (2017). The immunopathology of sepsis and potential therapeutic targets. Nature Reviews Immunology, 17(7), 407–420.
- Calder, P. C. (2013). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory processes.
__________
Robert Ferguson is a California- and Florida-based single father of two daughters, clinical nutritionist, Omega Balancing Coach™, researcher, best-selling author, speaker, podcast and television host, health advisor, NAACP Image Award Nominee, creator of the Diet Free Life methodology, and Chief Nutrition Officer for iCoura Health. He also serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association and the Health and Product Advisory Board for Zinzino, Inc.
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