Diabetes ketosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a major condition that can develop in people suffering from diabetes if their body begins to lose insulin.
In this situation, harmful ketones are accumulated within the body. They could pose a risk to life if not addressed and eliminated promptly.
DKA
mostly affects those who suffer from type one diabetes however, it can also
be an issue for those who suffer from the type 2 form of diabetes. If you're
suffering from diabetes, it's crucial to remain aware of your risks and be
aware of what you can do in the event of DKA.
The signs of
ketoacidosis with diabetes
The symptoms of DKA are:
l
Feeling very thirsty
l
being sick
l
stomach discomfort
l
breath that is fruity-smelling (like
sweets made with pear drops or nail varnish)
l
Breathing deeply or quickly
l Feeling very tired orconfusiongetting out
It is possible to contract DKA when you suffer from high blood sugar levels
(hyperglycemia) and a high ketones level in your urine or blood. You can test your
ketones levels at home with a test kit.
The
symptoms typically begin within 24 hours, however, they can occur more quickly.
Verify your
blood sugar and the levels of ketone
Examine your blood sugar levels in case you're suffering from DKA.
If you have a blood sugar is 11mmol/L or higher and you have a urine or blood testing kit for ketone levels, test your ketone levels.
If you do a blood ketone test:
l
less than 0.6mmol/L is considered to be
a normal reading.
l
0.6 to 1.5mmol/L indicates that you're
at an increased risk of developing DKA and should be tested for the second time
in two hours.
l
1.6 to 2.9mmol/L indicates that you're
at a higher chance of developing DKA and should speak to the diabetes
department or GP immediately.
l 3mmol/L or higher means you are at a high chance of DKA and must seek medical attention immediately
If you take a urine ketone test the result is greater than 2+ indicates an increased chance that you've got DKA and you must seek medical assistance immediately.
When do you
need medical assistance?
Take yourself to the closest A&E immediately If you suspect you may have DKA particularly if you have high levels of ketones present in your urine or in your blood.
DKA can be a medical emergency condition and requires treatment at the hospital as soon as possible. Make contact with your diabetes team or your GP promptly If you're unsure if you require urgent help, for instance:
l your blood sugar levels or ketones are high or are increasing in time, yet you don't feel sick or unwell.
l You feel sick however your blood sugar or ketones levels are not abnormal or are just a tiny more than normal.
If
you are unable to contact your health care provider or GP or GP, contact your
local emergency service and the NHS111 for assistance.
The causes
of diabetic ketoacidosis
DKA is caused by the lack of insulin within the body. This causes the body to break down fat to generate energy. The body releases ketones after they break down the fat.
If you suffer from diabetes Certain factors are likely to cause this to occur, for example:
l being infected that is causing an infection, for example, the flu or an infection such as a UTI or urinary tract infection (UTI)
l
Not following your regimen, for example,
not taking insulin doses as directed.
l
A surgery or injuring certain
medications that contain certain medications, for example, steroids
l
binge drinking
l
using illegal substances
l
pregnancy
l you are having the period
There
are times when there is no apparent cause.
Preventing
diabetic ketoacidosis
The following suggestions can decrease your chance of developing DKA:
l Make sure to check your blood sugar level frequently to detect and address an increase promptly Learn more about how to manage high blood sugar levels on our page on hyperglycemia.
l Follow your treatment plan - don't stop taking insulin unless advised to do so by a doctor or a health professional.
l
Be extra careful when you're sick - your
diabetes doctor will give you some "sick-day guidelines" to adhere
to, which include things such as monitoring your blood sugar more frequently and checking the level of ketone in your blood.
l Be cautious when taking new medications to consult a physician or pharmacist prior to taking any new medication since certain medications can increase the chance of DKA
l Ask your diabetes team member or GP for help if you have trouble keeping your blood sugar levels in check.
Treatments
for diabetic ketoacidosis DKA are typically treated in hospitals.
Treatments for DKA consist of:
l insulin, which is usually injected through the vein (intravenously)
l Fluids injected into a vein to help rehydrate your body
l
the nutrients injected into a vein to
replace the ones that you've lost
Also, you'll be watched closely for any potentially life-threatening issues that could arise like issues in your kidneys, your brain, or your lungs.
It is possible to leave the hospital once you're able to eat and drink , and tests indicate a healthy level of ketones within your body. It is common for patients to remain in the hospital for a couple of days.
Before
leaving the hospital, you should ask to speak with a diabetes nurse regarding
the reasons you were diagnosed with DKA as well as what could be done to prevent it
from repeating itself.
