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Dec 19, 2023 · If your blood sugar levels are too high or your urine has too many ketones, make a plan to go to the hospital. Takeaways Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes that can ...
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Diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms often come on quickly, sometimes within 24 hours. For some, these symptoms may be the first sign of having diabetes. Symptoms might include:
•Being very thirsty
•Urinating often
•Feeling a need to throw up and throwing up
•Having stomach pain
•Being weak or tired
If you feel ill or stressed or you've had a recent illness or injury, check your blood sugar level often. You might also try a urine ketone test kit you can get at a drugstore.
Contact your health care provider right away if:
•You're throwing up and can't keep down food or liquid
•Your blood sugar level is higher than your target range and doesn't respond to home treatment
•Your urine ketone level is moderate or high
Seek emergency care if:
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Sugar is a main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues. Insulin helps sugar enter the cells in the body.
Without enough insulin, the body can't use sugar to make the energy it needs. This causes the release of hormones that break down fat for the body to use as fuel. This also produces acids known as ketones. Ketones build up in the blood and eventually spill over into the urine.
Diabetic ketoacidosis usually happens after:
•An illness. An infection or other illness can cause the body to make higher levels of certain hormones, such as adrenaline or cortisol. These hormones work against the effects of insulin and sometimes cause diabetic ketoacidosis. Pneumonia and urinary tract infections are common illnesses that can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis.
•A problem with insulin therapy. Missed insulin treatments can leave too little insulin in the body. Not enough insulin therapy or an insulin pump that doesn't work right also can leave too little insulin in the body. Any of these problems can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis.
Other things that can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis include:
The risk of diabetic ketoacidosis is highest if you:
•Have type 1 diabetes
•Often miss insulin doses
Sometimes, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur with type 2 diabetes. In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis may be the first sign of having diabetes.
Possible complications of the treatments
Treatment complications include:
There are many ways to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis and other diabetes complications.
•Manage your diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Take diabetes medicines or insulin as directed.
•Monitor your blood sugar level. You might need to check and record your blood sugar level at least 3 to 4 times a day, or more often if you're ill or stressed. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level stays within your target range.
•Adjust your insulin dosage as needed. Talk to your health care provider or diabetes educator about how to make your insulin dosage work for you. Consider factors such as your blood sugar level, what you eat, how active you are, and whether you're ill. If your blood sugar level begins to rise, follow your diabetes treatment plan to return your blood sugar level to your target range.
•Check your ketone level. When you're ill or stressed, test your urine for excess ketones with a urine ketones test kit. You can buy test kits at a drugstore. If your ketone level is moderate or high, contact your health care provider right away or seek emergency care. If you have low levels of ketones, you may need to take more insulin.
•Be prepared to act quickly. If you think you have diabetic ketoacidosis because your blood sugar is high and you have too many ketones in your urine, seek emergency care.
High blood sugar levels (over 250 mg/dL). Although it’s not as common, you can be in DKA even if your blood sugar is lower than 250 mg/dL. More severe symptoms of DKA include: Nausea and vomiting. Abdominal pain. Rapid, deep breathing (Kussmaul breathing). Fruity-smelling breath.
Jan 21, 2022 · Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes and, much less commonly, of type 2 diabetes. DKA happens when your blood sugar is very high and acidic substances called ...
- Carmella Wint
Jun 3, 2024 · Blood sugar that swings either too high or too low is a common problem when you have diabetes. When it happens suddenly, it can cause you to lose consciousness or even die. Over time, high blood ...
Thirst or a very dry mouth. Frequent urination. High blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. High levels of ketones in the urine. Then, other symptoms appear: Constantly feeling tired. Dry or flushed skin. Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Vomiting can be caused by many illnesses, not just ketoacidosis.
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Nov 8, 2024 · Diabetic Ketoacidosis, known as DKA, is a life-threatening diabetes complication. It is caused by a severe lack of insulin. Without insulin your body can’t move sugar into the cells for energy so instead breaks down fat releasing harmful chemicals called ketones which build up and make your blood acidic. A large build-up of ketones can lead ...
