Diabetes Ketoacidosis

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

A common question people always asks themselves is “What does dka stands for in medical terms?”

Diabetic Ketoacidosis or sometimes known as KDA which in fact are the builds up of acids in your blood. The Diabetic ketoacidosis syndrome can happen when your blood is too high over a long period of time and this could be a life threatening scenario, but this usually takes hours to show up although it can be treated and even prevented from even occurring.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis causes

The diabetic ketoacidosis often happens when your body doesn’t have enough insulin sugar or carbohydrate metabolism. Your cell can’t use the carbohydrate as source of energy or fuel for your body cell, this results into burning or metabolism of fats to produce acids which are later known as Ketones.

If this process goes on for a long period of time the ketone acids may accumulate into your blood and cause acidity imbalance into your body.

This ketoacidosis is highly dangerous to people with type 1 diabetes since their body system doesn’t produce any insulin. Sometimes ketoacids can build up in the body when you starve or miss a meal, when you are sick or stressed, or when you have reaction to insulin.

Although if you have healthy pancreas and you don’t have type 1 diabetes then it is unlikely or almost impossible to suffer from ketoacidosis because ketone levels are controlled by the release of insulin from the pancreas hence inhibit further productions of ketones and regulate the already available ketone in the blood

DKA or Diabetic Ketoacidosis can also be observed to people suffering from type 2 diabetes although its rare, especially older people are more likely to suffer from condition which has similar symptoms called HHNS (hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome) which may lead to severe dehydration.

In some other occasions people without diabetes can also get ketoacidosis too, It can be due to excessive alcoholism, starvation, or an overactive thyroid. Although a healthy low-carb diet shouldn’t be the root of the problem.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Diagnosis

Diabetic Ketoacidosis can be easily diagnosed even a home without the help of the doctor or specialist by following just simple instructions which comes up with the dipstick to determine if you have ketosis or DKA.

The urine test needs you to place the dipstick into the clean catch of your urine and the dipstick will change color based on the level of the ketones present in your body.

Ketone test through blood test is the most suitable method to test for ketone level present within the body since they measure the level of beta-hydroxybutryic acid which is the primary indicator of ketoacidosis

For people with diabetes the risk of DKA increase proportionally with the increase in ketone level and blood sugar above 250mg/dL or 14mmol/L.

What are the complications of diabetic ketoacidosis?

Since many people who develop ketoacidosis have a multiple illnesses apart from diabetes, the diabetic ketoacidosis may lead to riskier complications death included. The mostly reported complications are Cardiac arrest and kidney failure.

Sometimes the lifesaving diabetic ketoacidosis may lead to other complications such as:-

• Cerebral Edema (Swelling of brain)

• Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)

• Hypokalemia (Low potassium)

Diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms

If you undergoes a ketone blood test for testing the diabetic ketoacidosis and your blood sugar is above 240mg/dL or you have all symptoms of high blood sugar such as frequently thirsty or frequently urinations, dry mouth then it is advised to seek medical attention for further testing and treatment before the condition gets worse.

If you observe any of these symptoms and you found earlier your ketones level are not normal then it is likely that you are suffering from ketoacidosis

           

• Nausea and vomiting frequently for more than 2 hours.
• Dizzy or feeling confused and tired. 

• Difficulty in breathing normally or rapid breathing.

• Abdominal or stomach pain.

• Fruity like smelly when you are breathing out.

Diabetic ketoacidosis Treatment and Prevention

For people suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis when they notice the symptoms still at early stages and go to the hospital, they may be subjected to an IV containing insulin to help regulate and bring down the amount of ketones already available into their blood stream and bring about body fluid balance.

If you have sever ketoacidosis and you don’t treat it early it’s likely you are going to pass out, go into coma or possibly die.

Sometimes the doctor may alter the insulin dosage so as to cope with the amount of ketones available in your blood and prevent it from ever occurring again although it is still advised to drink a lot of water and sugar-free beverages with 0% alcohol.

Prevention

·       People who have been diagnosed with diabetes, old people, pregnant and lactating mothers should monitor closely their levels of blood sugar so as to avoid ketoacidosis complications, also you should take you medications as prescribed by the specialist so as to reduce the chance of undergoing ketoacidosis.

·     Test your glucose levels regularly and be aware of the optimal level of glucose which should be present in the blood.

·      If you are in insulin dosage don’t skip your insulin dosage since they are vital in regulation of the blood sugar which counterbalance the levels of ketone in the body.

·     Frequently consultation with endocrinologist (diabetes specialists) on you meals and diets plans should also prevent the escalations of such complications such as the ketoacidosis