diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious, potentially life‑threatening complication of diabetes that happens when there is not enough insulin in the body, causing very high blood sugar and a dangerous buildup of acidic ketones in the blood. It is most common in type 1 diabetes but can also occur in people with type 2 diabetes, especially during illness, missed insulin doses, or other physical stress.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurs when insulin levels are too low for the body to use glucose for energy, so it breaks down fat, producing ketones that make the blood too acidic.
- DKA is a medical emergency that can lead to coma or death if not treated quickly in a hospital setting.
Main symptoms to watch for
- Early signs can include extreme thirst, frequent urination, very high blood sugars, dry mouth, and fatigue.
- Worsening symptoms often include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid deep breathing, fruity‑smelling breath, confusion, and dehydration.
Why it happens (common triggers)
- Missing insulin doses, problems with an insulin pump, or not taking enough insulin are major triggers of DKA.
- Infections, heart attack, stroke, certain medications (like steroids), and new‑onset diabetes can also precipitate DKA by sharply increasing insulin needs.
How DKA is treated
- Treatment almost always requires hospital care with intravenous fluids to correct dehydration and insulin given through a vein to slowly bring blood sugar and ketones back to a safe range.
- Electrolytes such as potassium are monitored and replaced, and doctors also treat the underlying cause (for example, antibiotics for an infection).
Prevention and when to seek help
- People with diabetes are often advised to check ketones during illness or when blood glucose is very high, and to follow a “sick‑day” plan that adjusts insulin and fluids.
- Emergency care is needed immediately if there are high blood sugars plus vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, or confusion, because these can be signs of progressing ketoacidosis.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.