Understand ketoacidosis, a serious diabetes complication: discover its causes, symptoms (like rapid breathing and dehydration), and essential steps for dealing with this condition.
Have you been hearing a lot about ketoacidosis and how it might affect you, especially if you’ve got diabetes? It’s a serious condition, no doubt, but what exactly is it? We’re going to break it down, look at how it happens, who’s at risk, and what you can do about it. We’ll also highlight what might not be immediately obvious.
Ketoacidosis is one of the common complications from a severe lack of insulin; it mainly affects those with diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2.
That said many people with diabetes are understandably concerned about ketoacidosis, how it occurs, and how to prevent it. That’s exactly what we’ll be addressing today.
How Does Ketoacidosis Occur?
The hormone insulin is key in managing blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Ideally, there’s enough of it to keep things running smoothly. But when there’s an issue—like problems with the pancreas or the body’s inability to utilize insulin effectively—things can go haywire. The body might not be able to produce enough insulin, and the amount of insulin the body produces might not be enough.
So, what exactly does this mean? Well, the glucose level in the blood goes up. These disruptions will cause the body to look for alternative fuel sources to get the energy that it needs to function.
Now, for those with type 2 diabetes who are dealing with significant insulin resistance, the insulin produced may not be sufficient for the body’s needs. Or, perhaps, the body and its various organs aren’t responding to it properly. I mean, we know it’s not always easy managing all of this, but stick with us. It’s also important to remember that obesity or excess weight could be contributing factors. When the body isn’t getting enough insulin, or isn’t able to use it effectively, glucose levels increase.
If the body continues without insulin for too long, or without effective insulin, glucose keeps building up. It’s like you’re at a red light during rush hour; except instead of cars, it’s glucose. And, to make things even more complicated, the body isn’t getting the glucose it needs for energy and nourishment.
In an attempt to compensate, the body looks to fat as its primary fuel source. There’s often a bit of glucose stored in the liver, called glycogen, and through biochemical processes, the body can convert glycogen into glucose. But, this is a short-term fix, as the glucose levels in the blood remain elevated due to the lack of insulin, then the body will start using stored fat to get the energy it needs.
During this process, the body turns to fat for energy and produces ketones. Now, what if you have a thyroid condition? Hyperthyroidism can accelerate metabolism, potentially exacerbating the breakdown of fats and ketone production in a ketoacidosis scenario. That said we need more research to fully understand the interplay between thyroid function and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Fatty acids are converted into energy which results in a buildup of acids, or ketone bodies. These are harmful to the body and cause major disruptions. What’s worse, an increased amount of acids in the blood affects the balance of essential electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and magnesium.
These imbalances have serious consequences, and are detrimental to the body. If left unchecked, these imbalances make someone vulnerable to ketoacidosis or increase the risk.
Symptoms of Ketoacidosis
The most important symptoms of ketoacidosis include:
- General weakness.
- Severe dehydration due to increased urination and vomiting.
- Abdominal pain and nausea.
- Deep, rapid breathing known as Kussmaul breathing; it’s essentially the body’s attempt to compensate for the high level of acid. Fast, deep breaths are how the body tries to get rid of excess carbon dioxide, which contributes to high acidity levels.
- The breath may smell like acetone or nail polish remover.
- Severe confusion and disorientation.
If you ever notice any of these symptoms, checking your blood glucose levels is a must. If it’s higher than 250 mg/dL and you can also detect ketones in your urine (which can be done via simple urine strips), it’s a clear sign you need to get to the hospital immediately.
How to Deal With This Condition?
This condition is serious and warrants immediate medical attention, so you’ll need to head straight to the emergency room.
One thing to remember is that a severe spike in blood glucose levels can lead to ketoacidosis, especially in those with type 1 diabetes, or children. Children tend to depend on insulin for longer periods.
Parents and school officials should pay close attention to the condition of children, monitoring their blood glucose regularly. Keep a close eye on those being treated with insulin, as their insulin reserves may be affected.
Key takeaways
- Ketoacidosis is a severe complication that can arise from uncontrolled diabetes, mainly affecting individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes due to a critical insulin deficiency.
- Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, dehydration, rapid breathing and breath that smells like nail polish.
- Ketoacidosis is an emergency that warrants immediate medical attention.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Can ketoacidosis occur without diabetes?
While it’s most common in diabetics, ketoacidosis can occur in non-diabetics too, particularly those with alcohol use disorder, starvation, or certain illnesses. It’s less common, but important to be aware of.
Is ketoacidosis the same as ketosis from a keto diet?
Nope, not the same at all. Ketosis is a milder metabolic state where the body uses fat for fuel because of carbohydrate restriction; ketoacidosis, on the other hand, is a dangerous condition where there’s a drastic buildup of ketones in the blood, leading to acidity. It’s way more severe.
Can drinking plenty of water help prevent ketoacidosis?
Definitely. Staying hydrated is crucial, especially if you have diabetes. Dehydration can worsen high blood sugar levels, so drink up! It helps your kidneys flush out excess glucose and ketones.
Is ketoacidosis always caused by forgetting to take insulin?
Not always. While missing insulin doses is a major risk factor, ketoacidosis can also be triggered by illness, infection, stress, or even a malfunctioning insulin pump. It’s not just about missing doses, but also about managing overall health.
“I was really scared when my child started throwing up and breathing really fast. I didn’t know what was happening, but the doctors at the ER were amazing. They explained everything clearly and got things under control quickly. Now, we’re much more vigilant about checking their blood sugar.”
“I had no idea my type 2 diabetes could lead to something this serious. I ended up in the hospital with ketoacidosis after a bad flu. The team there taught me how to better manage my medication and check for ketones when I’m sick. It was a wake-up call.”
“Being diagnosed with type 1 as a teenager was tough, but I thought I had it all figured out. Then, I got complacent and stopped checking my levels as often. Ketoacidosis sent me back to the basics. I’m so grateful for the education I got in the hospital and how it changed my perspective.”
Thinking back to when I first heard about ketoacidosis, it seemed like this distant, scary thing, but now? Now we know it’s something to be informed about, prepared for, and, most importantly, something you can manage with the right knowledge and care. So let’s stay vigilant, stay informed, and keep each other healthy.
