Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, is a severe medical condition that occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. This may happen in people with diabetes, especially type-1 diabetes, but is not exclusive to them.

What you need to know:

Understanding diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis
Causes of diabetic ketoacidosis
Treatment and management

Understanding diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a health condition that occurs when your body cannot produce any more insulin. Insulin is a natural body hormone that plays a huge role in letting sugar into your body cells. Without insulin, our bodies break fats as a source of body fuel. This leads to a buildup of acids, also known as ketones, in your bloodstream. When left unmanaged, this buildup of ketones and acids can cause diabetic ketoacidosis.

Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis

Here are the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis that you might experience, often during the first 24 hours. For some people, this sign can also be the first symptom of diabetes:

Increased thirst and urination
Nausea and vomiting
Intense stomach pain
Shortness of breath
Fruity-scented breath
Dizziness and confusion
Headaches
Dry skin and mouth
Pain in muscles

Most symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis can also show up in medical test results, such as:

High ketone levels in your urine
High blood sugar levels

Causes of diabetic ketoacidosis

Here are the most common diabetic ketoacidosis causes:

Illnesses and infections: When you are sick, you are less likely to eat or drink as much as you normally do. This causes unstable blood sugar levels, leading to DKA.
Irregular insulin shot dosages: Missing routine insulin shots or taking the wrong dose can also lead to diabetic ketoacidosis.

Other causes are:

Heart attacks and strokes
Traumatic physical injuries
Pregnancy
Pancreatitis
Medications such as diuretics (water pills) and corticosteroids (used for treating inflammation

Treatment and management

You should be immediately taken to the hospital if you have DKA. Your treatment might involve:

Replacement of fluids because of frequent urination to dilute the sugar in your blood
Replacement of electrolytes as low insulin levels can also lower electrolyte levels in your body
Taking medications for any underlying conditions such as infections or irregular insulin dosages

You can also prevent this serious health condition by taking some proactive steps:

Check your blood sugar levels periodically, especially if you are sick.
Take medications as prescribed.
Talk to your doctor about how you can adjust your insulin dosages.

If you are still concerned about DKA or how to manage your diabetes, visit a medical expert and ask for customized guidance. A personalized diabetes management plan can enable you to live life fully.

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