Diabetic ketoacidosis is a dangerous condition that occurs when insulin levels are too low for the body to metabolize glucose, causing cells to break down fat and release toxic ketones. Symptoms include dehydration, confusion, and breathing problems. Treatment involves insulin and increased fluid intake, and hospitalization may be necessary for severe cases. Regular checkups are important to manage the condition.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening health condition that can affect people with type 1 diabetes. It occurs when insulin levels are too low for the body’s cells to metabolize glucose properly. Without energy from glucose, cells begin to break down fat stores instead. Byproducts of the breakdown of fat called ketones are released into the bloodstream, which can be toxic at high enough levels. A diabetic person experiencing shortness of breath, drowsiness, mental confusion, and other symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis should seek hospital care immediately to reduce the risk of coma or death.
Insulin hormones help cells absorb and metabolize sugars from the bloodstream. Because people with type XNUMX diabetes lack insulin, their bodies cannot use the sugars in glucose as a source of energy. Cellular energy must be derived from fat and muscle tissue, which leads to the production of ketones and other fatty acids. The risk of diabetic ketoacidosis is higher when a person is very ill, under great stress, or misses a regular dose of insulin.
Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis tend to come on very quickly when insulin levels drop. Over the course of a day or two, a person may become dehydrated, fatigued, and nauseous. Abdominal pain, confusion, and dizziness are also common. If the condition is not treated, an individual’s breathing can become very rapid and shallow. Diabetic coma can occur when breathing problems become severe because the brain is not getting enough oxygen.
It is important for people who know they are at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis to recognize symptoms as soon as they start. At a doctor’s office or hospital, blood and urine tests can confirm the presence of excess ketones, unmetabolized glucose, and low insulin. A doctor may also take chest X-rays and perform blood pressure tests to assess the severity of symptoms and make the best treatment decisions.
When diabetic ketoacidosis is discovered before serious complications occur, it can usually be reversed with a dose of insulin and increased fluid intake. Bodily systems usually return to normal within hours with no permanent damage. If severe dehydration and breathing problems have already begun, hospitalization is required to provide the patient with intravenous fluids, medications, and oxygen therapy. Once the patient is stable, they are usually admitted to a hospital room so that doctors can monitor symptoms for several days. Frequent checkups with a doctor are important to make sure the condition is kept under control.
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