Diabetes ketoacidosis is a complication found in type 1 diabetics.

What is considered diabetes ketoacidosis?

Daibetes ketoacidosis is a condition that is brought on by untreated hyperglycemia. When the cells of our bodies are unable to receive the necessary blood glucose that it needs for energy, it begins to break down other fats found in our bodies along with our muscles so it can be used as energy.

When this happens, fatty acids otherwise known as ketones ( a fuel that is mainly for the brain) are created. These ketone bodies would enter into the blood stream and cause a chemical imbalance known as ketosis. This problem eventually leads to metabolic acidosis. Because of this chemical imbalance, an individual would eventually develop diabetes ketoacidosis.

What are the known causes for diabetic ketoacidosis

known causes for this condition include:

  • Taking too little insulin

  • Severe infections

  • Severe dehydration

Diabetes ketoacidosis is a severe complication that is mostly diagnosed in individuals that have type 1 diabetes; however, if the blood glucose of individuals that have type 2 diabetes are to high, then they will also be at great risks for developing diabetic ketoacidosis.

Known symptoms of diabetes ketoacidosis

Individuals can have an elevated blood glucose that is unsafe before they begin to show any signs or symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis. The known symptoms of ketoacidosis are as follows:

  • Trouble breathing (this happens in the early or middle stages of the illness)
    • .

  • Ketones in the urine
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  • Loss of appetite
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  • Abdominal pains (these could be severe)
    • .

  • Vomiting
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  • Dowsiness
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  • Skin that is feels hot, dry and appear flushed (this also happens during the early or middle stages of ketoacidosis).

  • A fruity smell on the breath
    • .

How is diabetes ketoacidosis prevented?

As I mentioned earlier, ketoacidosis is commonly diagnosed in individuals that have type 1 diabetes. According to conclusive results carried out by a recent study, the illness is mostly found in type 1 diabetics because their bodies do not have any insulin, other than what they administer to themselves for treatment.

However preventing ketoacidosis can be achieved by:

  • Taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor
    • .

  • Checking the connections of your insulin pump to ensure that the tube is free of any air bubbles or leaks
    • .

  • Checking the expiration date on your insulin
    • .

  • Checking the clarity of your insulin. Therefore making sure that it is free of any clumps
    • .

  • Following your meal plans as directed or laid out by your health care team
    • .

  • Making sure that you are following an exercise and fitness schedule
    • .

  • Making sure that you are properly monitoring your blood glucose
.

The advanced stage of diabetes ketoacidosis

Without immediate treatment of ketoacidosis, this condition could quickly become worst and eventually cause unconsciousness of an individual. This is what is called the advanced stage of the illness which is brought on by several known factors. These include:

The level of consciousness for an individual suffering from the advance stage of ketoacidosis, is some what normal at this point but becomes affected as the condition progresses. The alertness level of the victim is reduced, to the point of complete unconsciousness which can eventually lead to a coma state.

This normally only happens about 36 hours after the symptoms of vomiting and hyperventilation have occurred.

Treatment for diabetes ketoacidosis

Unfortunately when an individual has a severe attack of diabetes ketoacidosis, they have to be hospitalized so that treatment to restore their body's electrolytes could begin. Treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis normally involves an individual receiving an insulin treatment along with other fluids intravenously.

This treatment will normally take a few days because the blood glucose and electrolytes of the victim has to be brought to a safe level. Especially if their sodium and patassium levels are low. This is mostly accomplished with the victim placed in the intensive care unit because of the severity of the illness.

Ideally, the whole purpose of the hospitalization, is to quickly get the ketoacidosis victim electrolytes restore in the shortest time possible through circulation and perfusion. This procedure will help the victim to quickly become re-hydrated.

Complications associated with diabetes ketoacidosis

For starters, people that have this condition require round the clock monitoring for signs of other complications that could arise. The reasons for this is that many of the known complications for diabetic ketoacidosis, are normally caused by the treatment of the illness itself.

Victims of ketoacidosis may experience complications such as

  • Hyperglycemia
    • .

  • Cerebral Edema
    • .

  • Hypokalemia
    • .

    Ketoacidema.

  • Fluid depletion which leads to electrolyte depletion
    • .

  • Pulmanary Edema
    • .

  • Aspiration
    • .

  • Renal Tubular Necrosis
    • .

Don't become a mortality rate through ignorance. Diabetic ketoacidosis is an acute and dangerous complication that is always a medical emergency. This condition will caused the pH of the blood to be reduced, which can lead to other conplications such as hypotension (low blood pressure, shock, and eventually death.

Diabetes complications can be avoided or delayed and even less severe, if diabetics would properly manage their blood glucose. In fact the better these individuals manage their illness, the lower their risks for developing any diabetes complications. This includes diabetes ketoacidosis.

Diabetes ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes mellitus!

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