what is diabetic
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious, life-threatening complication of high blood sugar. It must be treated immediately. If you have ketoacidosis and it is not treated promptly, you may go into a diabetic coma.
How does it occur?
If you have diabetes and don’t have proper treatment for it, you may develop this very dangerous complication called ketoacidosis. At first your blood sugar level may rise above normal. High blood sugar is called hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia happens when you do not have enough insulin to get sugar out of your blood and into your cells. When the cells of the body can’t use sugar for energy, they break down fat for energy. The fat byproducts (ketones) and high sugar level can cause ketoacidosis, a life-threatening chemical imbalance.
Reasons why your blood sugar may increase, even if you are taking insulin, include:
not getting enough insulin
not getting enough exercise
eating the wrong amounts or types of food
not testing your blood sugar levels properly or regularly.
Also, ketoacidosis may result from changes in your life such as illness, infection, trauma, heart attack, surgery, pregnancy, or other types of stress.
If you have not yet been diagnosed with diabetes, ketoacidosis may be the first sign that you have it. If you have type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin. As a result, blood sugar may become very high, very fast. Sometimes it happens so fast that ketoacidosis symptoms are the first symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include:
increased thirst
increased hunger
dry mouth
increased urination.
If you have ketoacidosis, you may also have these symptoms:
excessive urination
excessive thirstiness
fruity-smelling breath
nausea
vomiting
confusion
tiredness.
The onset of a diabetic coma is usually gradual, happening after the symptoms of ketoacidosis.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose ketoacidosis, your health care provider will ask about your medical history, review your symptoms, and give you a physical exam. Your provider will pay special attention to:
possible infection
the amount of fluids in your body
how clearly you are thinking
breathing difficulty
your heart and kidney function.
Your health care provider will do some tests to check the levels of sugar and other chemicals in your blood. If needed, your provider will also order other lab tests, a chest x-ray, or ECG.
How is it treated?
You will be given insulin as soon as ketoacidosis is diagnosed.
Your blood will be checked often for sugar levels and chemical balances.
You will be given fluids, possibly intravenously (IV).
Your blood will be checked often for sugar levels and chemical balances.
Your treatment will include antibiotic medicine if you have an infection.
How long will the effects last?
Ketoacidosis will continue until enough insulin is available to the body to achieve a normal blood sugar level and the insulin and fluids have restored chemical balance. If this condition is not treated, it can be fatal. With treatment, you may recover in hours to days.
What can be done to help prevent diabetic ketoacidosis?
To help take care of yourself and prevent ketoacidosis, follow these guidelines:
Keep your blood sugar level under control.
Eat a healthy diet.
Follow the physical activity or exercise plan your health care provider has recommended.
Check your blood sugar level as often as you and your health care provider have discussed.
Test for ketones in your urine if your blood sugar level is high or if you are ill or under more stress than usual.
Never take more insulin until you are sure that your blood sugar level is too high. The symptoms of low blood sugar can be similar to those of high blood sugar.
Know the early signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis.
Keep extra insulin with you.
Wear a medical ID bracelet for diabetes.
Call your health care provider if your fasting blood sugar is 240 mg/dl or more for 2 days, especially if you also have vomiting or other symptoms of ketoacidosis.
