Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA for short, is a severe complication of type 1 diabetes. If not treated immediately, it can lead to serious long-term complications such as brain swelling and coma, and can even be potentially life-threatening.
Despite its severity, many people are unaware of the signs and symptoms of DKA.
We lived with Type 1 diabetes for 28 years and sat with Ty Bellinger, who lives outside Fayetteville, Arkansas. He experienced this condition first hand.
What led to your DKA experience?
DKA develops when someone’s blood sugar levels remain dangerously high for a long period of time.
This condition is often exacerbated by dehydration, leading to the accumulation of acidic and toxic substances in the blood. When set by DKA, it becomes difficult to lower blood sugar levels to a safe level.
People may experience DKA for a variety of reasons. Almost half of people with type 1 diabetes have received DKA at the time of diagnosis, but acute circumstances such as infection, illness, and even a gap in health insurance coverage (which could lead to insulin distribution) can lead to hyperglycemic levels and the resulting DKA.
For more information: What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
Beringer highlights these issues vividly:
“My DKA experience was a direct result of the high prices of insulin. At the time I didn’t know there was a term for that, but I started lightly distributing insulin in college. After graduating, I ran out of insulin and was afraid of hypoglycemia because I worked for myself.”
He continues,
“These things combined with the fact that my insurance company continues to deny access to continuous glucose monitors meant I didn’t know how much damage I was causing my body. In the end, it caught up with me and spent a few nights in the hospital.”
Have you experienced a warning sign that you are going to DKA?
Signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, such as thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss, are well known, but it can be difficult to detect the onset of DKA.
Read more about hyperglycemic symptoms: Symptoms of hyperglycemia.
Beringer agrees that not everyone can see or feel it coming:
“The DKA warning signs are very similar to those who are intentionally not using enough insulin, so anyone rationing may not see it coming. I remember the day before I went to the hospital. I was thirsty and nauseated. The next morning, I couldn’t hold back anything.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signs of DKA include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- Fast, deep breathing
- Dry skin and mouth
- I washed my face
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Rapid weight loss
- Fruity scented breath
- Haze
- headache
- fatigue
- Muscle pain
If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms without remedying for days or weeks, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911.
How was it treated?
Treatment of DKA usually involves a combination of administered insulin and intravenous fluid. To avoid further complications, patients should be closely monitored to ensure that blood glucose levels drop at a controlled rate.
Bellinger shares his personal experiences with treatment:
“The hospital is well known for not knowing how to deal with patients with type 1 diabetes. But I’ve been lucky. I was put in the ICU. My nurse happened to be quite familiar with T1D. My memories of my hospitalization are a bit uneven, but I know they ran a lot of tests and put me on the IV. That.”
Balancing type 1 diabetes can be extremely difficult, especially for young people. Some people in Type 1 experience DKA several times or many times.
Bellinger says,
“To be honest, I don’t know how many times I have a DKA. I think I went to the hospital a few times as a kid, especially since it’s difficult to manage my child’s T1D, especially before I access technology today.
(If you think you may be experiencing DKA, seek emergency medical attention immediately.)
What do you know now that you want to know?
Bellinger State,
“I wish I had known about the online community for diabetes. Since then I have seen other diabetic patients who support people in the same situation. They’ve done everything from providing direct assistance on how to get CGM.
How did this affect you emotionally? How did you deal with it?
Having diabetes can be a roller coaster of emotions. The CDC estimates that diabetics are two to three times more likely to develop depression and are 20% more likely to experience anxiety throughout their lifetime. The DKA threat could contribute to it. ”
Bellinger says,
“For a long time I struggled with myself, but ever since, I have accepted that I am in survival mode and I am doing my best to be present in my situation.
He continues,
“But the biggest impact was that my DKA experience has encouraged me to become an advocate. still The health care system can fail, but none of us are safe and we need to do something about it. There should not be any DKA as a result of the ration. I look back on my experiences with DKA every day and hope that it will ultimately have a positive impact on the world through my advocacy work. ”
Have you had long-term physical effects from DKA?
Bellinger Note,
“It’s hard to say that it’s a DKA outcome, or nearly 30 years’ outcome with T1D. After my DKA experience, I acted together, got CGM and reduced A1C (a measure of glucose control over the past two months).
Do you have any advice to others to avoid DKA?
Beringer hopes that his defense will help prevent others from suffering from DKA like he did.
He says,
“The number one preventive tool is simply recognition. We get and use continuous glucose monitors. If you’re struggling to access one, we’ll reach out to other diabetics. We’re all together.
For more information on DKA prevention, see below. How to avoid diabetic ketosidosis (DKA).
Final Thoughts
Beringer’s story highlights the importance of accessible healthcare. Diabetes is a personal condition, but it is also clear that it is a collective challenge that requires community support, advocacy, and improved healthcare policies.
