Diabetic Ketoacidosis - Diabetes Symptoms
Diabetic Ketoacidosis - Diabetes Symptoms
HealthCentral
People with type 1 diabetes are at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. If you have type 1 diabetes, ketoacidosis can occur because you have stopped taking your insulin injections or because your insulin dose is too low. It can be triggered by an infection or severe physical stress, such as an injury or surgery, because your body can need more insulin than usual during these stresses. Ketoacidosis rarely occurs in people with type 2 diabetes. In most people who have type 2 diabetes, blood insulin levels usually do not get low enough to signal the liver to make ketones.
In about 25% of children with diabetes, symptoms from ketoacidosis are the first sign that they have diabetes.
Symptoms
Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include:
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More frequent urination
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Extreme thirst
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Dry mouth
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Cool skin
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Nausea and vomiting with or without abdominal pain
As blood ketone levels increase, the person's breathing pattern may become slow and deep, and his or her breath can have a fruity odor. A person with ketoacidosis may seem to be tired or confused or may have trouble paying attention. Without prompt treatment in the first day of symptoms, the illness may cause low blood pressure, a loss of consciousness, coma or death.
If you have type 1 diabetes, it is important to measure your blood glucose levels at home using a machine called a glucometer. You also should have paper test strips that can detect ketones in the urine. If your blood glucose reading is above 300 milligrams per deciliter, you should test your urine for ketones. If the urine test strip reads "moderate" or "large," it's possible you have ketoacidosis.
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