Ketoacidosis: What are the Symptoms and Causes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Monday, December 17, 2018
Ketoacidosis: What are the Symptoms and Causes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis - Diabetic Ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes that is caused by the deadly high blood acid production body called ketones.
When a shortage of insulin, the body cannot metabolize blood sugar (glucose). In lieu of glucose, the body's use of fats. The results of the process producing acidic compounds called ketones with a number of quite a lot, which is harmful to the body.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis is very common in people with type 1 diabetes, but quite rare in the case of type 2 diabetes. It is important for diabetics to know the signs of Diabetic Ketoacidosis and know when to ask for medical help immediately.
Symptoms Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis include:
• Increased urination Frequency.
• Constant thirst.
• Fatigue.
• Your breath smells of cleaning polluted water bodies (acetone).
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Abdominal pain.
• Breath fast and deep.
• Daze, decreased consciousness, to a comma.
• Dehydration due to the frequency of urination.
• Electrolyte balance Disorders to heart cells, muscles, and nerves.
If the feel of some of the symptoms above, immediately consult a doctor. Causes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis, which left untreated can be fatal.
Causes Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Sugar is the main source of energy for the cells of muscles and other body tissues. When a shortage of insulin, the body is not able to metabolize glucose, body fat so that it will be taken as fuel. Processing these fats will produce substances called ketones.
Ketones in the body resulting in excessive balance blood pH (acid-base balance) is interrupted, the blood becomes more acidic, and resulting in acidosis which is harmful to the body.
Several things can trigger the body to produce excessive blood ketones are:
• Type 1 diabetes Sufferers.
• Experiencing an infection, since infection will result in the body produces a hormone that inhibits insulin work.
• Forget to inoculate the insulin or insulin doses that are too low.
• Physical or emotional Trauma.
• Alcohol addiction.
• Abuse of drugs, especially cocaine.
• Drugs, such as corticosteroid and diuretic.
• Heart attacks.
• Menstruation and pregnancy.
Diagnosis Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
To diagnose Diabetic Ketoacidosis, the doctor will run some checks, such as:
• Physical examination.
• Blood tests to find out blood sugar levels, ketone levels, and the level of acidity of the blood (blood gas analysis), and electrolytes blood.
• Urine test for urine ketone levels and look at the possibility of urinary tract infections.
• Chest X-rays to see possible pneumonia.
• Test electrocardiography (ECG) to record the electrical activity of the heart
Treatment and complications of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
To treat Diabetic Ketoacidosis, the doctor will assess what the perceived symptoms worst sufferers and treatment are done according to the level of the severity of them.
Usually, sufferers will be handled with a combination of three types of treatment below:
• Administering intravenous fluids to overcome dehydration.
• Administering insulin directly through an infusion.
• The granting of certain electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, and chloride.
But on the other hand, the treatment can induce complications against sufferers. Some of the complications that may occur due to the treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis include:
• Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Insulin causes blood sugar absorbed the body's cells. However, if blood sugar levels go down too quickly, the sufferer may experience hypoglycemia.
• Low potassium levels (hypokalemia). Fluids and insulin used to treat Diabetic Ketoacidosis can cause hypokalemia. This can affect the heart, muscles, and nerves.
• Swelling of the brain (cerebral edema). Stabilize blood sugar levels too quickly can cause swelling of the brain. This complication occurs mainly in children or the new undiagnosed diabetes sufferers.
Prevention Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetics should comply with the doctor's treatment recommendations for avoiding diabetic ketoacidosis. Some things that can be done to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis is:
• Discipline in eating healthy foods and exercising.
• Always monitor and maintain blood sugar levels are appropriate targets for treatment.
• Commitment in the drinking cure diabetes or insulin syringe, both drug and dose compliance in accordance with the advice of a doctor.
• Give extra attention when you are experiencing an infection, stress, or other disease stricken, with monitors blood sugar more often and check the levels of ketones in the blood.
• Extra Attention is also required when given the type of new drugs.
• Adequate needs of body fluids.
References:
Westerberg, DP. (2013) Diabetic ketoacidosis: evaluation and treatment. American Family Physician. 87 (5). pp. 337-46.
Trachtenbarg, DE. (2005). Diabetic ketoacidosis. American Family Physician (italic). American Family Physician. 71 (9). pp. 1705-14.
NHS Choices (2017). Health A-Z. Diabetic ketoacidosis.
Mayo Clinic (2015). Diseases & Conditions. Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
The American Diabetes Association. (2015). DKA (Ketoacidosis) & Ketones WebMD (2015). Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)-Topic Overview