Do doctors see a lot of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis?

Yes: It's part of the training that all doctors receive.

Depends on type: Most physicians have at some point in their training encountered patients in dka. Anesthesiologists see them when requiring surgery for life-threatening infection or as ICU physicians. Also common is honk, a similar disease seen in type 2 diabetics. Both are life-threatening and may require ICU treatment.

DM1 presentation: Unfortunately, when a child develops type 1 diabetes it is often mistaken for a stomach flu or other illness until DKA is well under way at presentation to an emergency room. Stabalization and early management are part of both er & regular physician training. After stabalization they are often referred to a diabetes education program if new, or worked up to explore why the DKA if a known diabetic.

Yes: Unfortunately, almost on a daily basis we see patients with diabetic ketoacidosis in the intensive care unit. It is preventable and mostly caused by poor compliance with treatment for diabetes.

Quite a few...: Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when a type 1 diabetic has an elevated blood sugar and not enough insulin. The body produces ketones and acid builds up in the blood. Treatment involves IV fluids, Insulin (usually IV initially), hospital admission and frequent lab work. This can be life-threatening so emergent evaluation is imperative if the condition is suspected.

Unfortunately, yes: We see DKA primarily in unrecognized, new cases of type 1 diabetes and in children with poor adherence to their Insulin regimens. Acute illnesses may also precipitate dka.