Diseases & Conditions

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes.

Diabetic ketoacidosis develops when you have too little insulin in your body. Without enough insulin, sugar (glucose) can't enter your cells for energy. Your blood sugar level rises, and your body begins to break down fat for energy. This produces toxic acids known as ketones. Left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis may cause you to lose consciousness. Eventually, untreated diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is most common in people who have type 1 diabetes, but people who have type 2 diabetes may develop diabetic ketoacidosis, too. In fact, in a few cases diabetic ketoacidosis is the first sign that a person has diabetes. If you have diabetes or you're at risk of diabetes, learn the warning signs of diabetic ketoacidosis — and know when to seek emergency care.

Diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms often develop quickly, sometimes within 24 hours. You may notice:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness or fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Fruity-scented breath
• Confusion

More specific signs of diabetic ketoacidosis — which can be detected through home blood and urine testing kits — include:

• High blood sugar level
• High ketone level in your urine

Remember, untreated diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal. Seek emergency care if you suspect that you have diabetic ketoacidosis, even if you haven't been diagnosed with diabetes.

Signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis may mimic those of the flu, so it can be tricky to know whether you have a viral infection or a more serious health problem. If you feel ill, stressed, or you've had a recent illness or injury, check your blood sugar level often. You might also try an over-the-counter urine ketones testing kit.

Contact your doctor if:

• You're vomiting and unable to tolerate any food or liquid
• Your blood sugar level is higher than your target range and doesn't respond to home treatment
• Your urine ketone level is moderate or high

Seek emergency care if:

• Your blood sugar level is consistently higher than 300 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 16.5 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
• You have excess ketones in your urine and can't reach your doctor for advice
• You have multiple symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis — excessive thirst or urination, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, fruity-scented breath, confusion

Remember, untreated diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal.

If your doctor suspects diabetic ketoacidosis, he or she will do a physical exam and various blood tests. The blood tests will measure:

• Blood sugar level. If there isn't enough insulin in your body to allow sugar to enter your cells, your blood sugar level will rise (hyperglycemia). As your body breaks down fat and protein for energy, your blood sugar level will continue to rise.
• Ketone level. When your body breaks down fat and protein for energy, toxic acids known as ketones enter your bloodstream.
• Blood acidity. If you have excess ketones in your blood, your blood will become acidic (acidosis). This can damage organs throughout your body.

In some cases, additional tests — such as a urinalysis, a chest X-ray or a recording of the electrical activity of the heart (electrocardiogram) — may be needed to help the doctor determine what triggered the episode of diabetic ketoacidosis or what damage the ketoacidosis may have caused.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is treated with fluids, electrolytes and insulin. Perhaps surprisingly, the most common complications of diabetic ketoacidosis are related to this lifesaving treatment:

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Insulin allows sugar to enter your cells. This causes your blood sugar level to drop. If your blood sugar level drops too quickly, you may develop low blood sugar.
• Low potassium (hypokalemia). The fluids used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis may cause your potassium level to drop too low. A low potassium level can impair the activities of your heart, muscles and nerves.
• Swelling in the brain (cerebral edema). Adjusting your blood sugar level too quickly can produce swelling in your brain. This complication appears to be more common in children, especially those who have newly diagnosed diabetes.

Left untreated, the risks are much greater. Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to loss of consciousness. Eventually, diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal.

If you're diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis, you may be treated in the emergency room or admitted to the hospital. Treatment is usually a three-prong approach:

• Fluid replacement. You'll receive fluids — either orally or through a vein (intravenously) — until you're rehydrated. The fluids will replace those you've lost through excessive urination, as well as help dilute the excess sugar in your blood.
• Electrolyte replacement. Electrolytes are minerals in your blood that carry an electric charge, such as sodium, potassium and chloride. The absence of insulin can lower the level of several electrolytes in your blood. You'll receive electrolytes through your veins to help keep your heart, muscles and nerve cells functioning normally.
• Insulin therapy. Insulin reverses the processes that cause diabetic ketoacidosis. Along with fluids and electrolytes, you'll receive insulin therapy — usually through a vein. When your blood sugar level falls below 250 mg/dL (14 mmol/L) and your blood is no longer acidic, you may be able to stop intravenous insulin therapy and resume your normal insulin therapy.

As your body chemistry returns to normal, your doctor will consider what may have triggered the episode of diabetic ketoacidosis. Depending on the circumstances, you may need additional treatment. For example, if you have undiagnosed diabetes, your doctor will help you create a diabetes treatment plan. If your doctor suspects a bacterial infection, he or she may prescribe antibiotics. If a heart attack seems possible, your doctor may recommend further evaluation of your heart.