A 27-year-old member asked:
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Complication of DM : If the body does not have enough Insulin to carry sugar into the cells for energy, the body begins to use a backup energy plan breaking down fat. This creates ketones which build up in the body and create an acidic change in the body.Since the enzymes work best in a balanced environment you feel sickly & nauseated.As the process continues the metabolism breaks down & bad things happen(you can die).
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Vasu Brownanswered
Integrative Medicine 35 years experience
High acidity in DM: Body is very acidic - instead of cells breathing and producing energy with glucose body breaks down fat and produces ketones it can lead to diabetic coma - maintain alkaline diet to prevent this.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 31-year-old member asked:
What's the difference of ketoacidosis and diabetic ketoacidosis?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Eduardo Haddadanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 47 years experience
High blood sugar: Both conditions are a sign of cellular deprivation of glucose. In diabetes type 1 there is absence of insufficient Insulin so the sugar is elevated in the blood but low in liver cells and they start producing ketones.
In starvation due to anorexia or alcoholism there in not enough glucose available so it also produces ketones.
They are treated differently of course.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
What are the complications of diabetic ketoacidosis?
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Maritza Baezanswered
Family Medicine 18 years experience
Many: Low blood sugar, low potassium, death, & brain swelling.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Arthur Heller commented
Gastroenterology 44 years experience
Usually ketoacidosis is associated with high blood sugars, moderste to severe abnormalities in acid/base balance, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate), dehydration. Increased risk for abnormal heart rhythms, altered mental status, infection. Treatment can be associated with low blood sugars, rapid shifts in fluid, altered mental status/brain swelling. DKA can indeed cause death
Jan 4, 2012
A 40-year-old member asked:
How to know if I have diabetic ketoacidosis?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
32 years experience
Get tested!: Hi. Both type 1's and type 2's can get diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). People in DKA are usually rather sick, often vomiting, and always dehydrated. It's a very easy to diagnose. Standard medical care of DKA is in a hospital with IV fluids, IV insulin, electrolyte management, and treatment of any precipitating conditions. If you're feeling pretty chipper and have very high sugar, it's prob not DKA.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
How do you manage diabetic ketoacidosis?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
Endocrinology 52 years experience
Ketoacidosis: The best way to manage ketoacidosis is to avoid having high blood sugar levels. Of course, if you have blood sugar levels off the map (>500) you need to go quickly to the Emergency Room. Once that is under control you need to see your doctor or nurse practitioner to help you keep things doing well.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Andrew Le commented
Specializes in Family Medicine
Keep hydrated as well. One of the key components of treating DKA is giving fluids. So drink your water.
Nov 7, 2014
A 44-year-old member asked:
What causes diabetic ketoacidosis?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
Endocrinology 52 years experience
Ketoacidosis: Most often this reflects a very high blood sugar but that is not always the reason. YOU SHOULD GO IMMEDIATELY TO A LOCAL EMERGENCY ROOM!!
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Last updated Dec 9, 2014
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