If your blood sugar levels are too high, you can develop into a dangerous condition known as diabetic ketosidosis (DKA).
DKA can be fatal if not treated promptly by a medical professional. But what exactly is DKA and how can you prevent it?
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about diabetic ketosidosis or DKA.
Why do people with diabetes suffer from hyperglycemia?
People with diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t produce any insulin at all.
Without insulin, there is an overflow of glucose in the blood, causing hyperglycemia.
When someone has diabetes, they try to prevent high blood sugar levels with diet and exercise, or with prescribed drugs like metformin or insulin.
How quickly is hyperglycemia dangerous?
High blood glucose levels can quickly become dangerous, even over a few hours or days.
This can occur if you are lacking insulin, if you are rationing insulin, if you have forgotten to take it, or if you are suffering from an illness or infection.
Hyperglycemia of 250 mg/dL containing ketones may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is extremely dangerous and requires immediate medical consultation.
If your blood sugar level is high and you are consistently testing positive for ketones, contact your doctor immediately.
Read more: What level of blood sugar is dangerous?
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, is a serious short-term complication of diabetes that occurs from very high blood sugar levels when the blood changes from too many ketones in the body to acidic.
DKA is usually set after blood glucose levels exceed 250 mg/dL for several hours or days, with the presence of ketones in the blood and urine.
It occurs when the body cannot metabolize the glucose it has been ingested because there is no insulin available in the body. This leads to rapid deterioration and requires immediate emergency medical treatment.
Ketoacidosis can occur quickly due to a complete lack of insulin. This can be due to a malfunctioning insulin pump or forgetting to inject before eating.
DKA can develop more slowly over several days due to regular illnesses and hyperglycemia.
Ketoacidosis occurs more frequently in people with type 1 diabetes than in patients with type 2 diabetes. Approximately 25% of patients are in DKA, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Although rare, some people may not suffer from diabetes, ketosidosis can also be achieved. It can be caused by chronic alcoholism, hunger, or hyperactive thyroid.
What are the symptoms of DKA?
Always be aware of symptoms of DKA if you live with diabetes (especially type 1 diabetes).
These symptoms include:
Is DKA life-threatening?
yes. If left untreated, DKA can lead to coma and death in diabetes.
Call 911 or if you think you are at DKA or have blood sugar levels above 250 mg/dL, visit your local emergency department.
If you’ve been experiencing moderate to high ketones for a few hours and are unable to lower your blood sugar levels, you should seek medical attention.
Anyone with diabetes should have a home ketone strip to test for ketones and prevent the onset of DKA.
How do you treat DKA?
DKA should always be treated in a hospital setting by a medical professional.
Normal courses of treatment include increased insulin doses with IV, administration of liquids for rehydration, and electrolytes that balance sodium and potassium.
Many patients spend several days in the hospital until blood glucose levels return safely to normal ranges, patients rehydrate and all electrolytes are balanced again.
How can I prevent DKA?
The best way to prevent DKA is to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range. Check your blood sugar levels frequently when you are fighting illnesses or infections.
Always take all medications as prescribed and do not use or use long-lasting medications, especially insulin.
It is also important to maintain hydration and exercise regularly.
If you are experiencing hyperglycemia above 250 mg/dL with ketones for hours or days, seek immediate emergency care.
Preventing DKA in the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is difficult as it resembles other diseases such as influenza and norovirus.
If you are experiencing hyperglycemia, call your doctor and suspect you have diabetes. Getting a quick diagnosis is key to preventing DKA.
What are the most common complications of DKA?
Surprisingly, the most common complication of DKA is hypoglycemia.
Many people take too much insulin, which is trying to lower blood sugar, crash too quickly, and experience hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia occurs in 5-25% of all patients with DKA.
It is important that medical professionals slowly lower their blood sugar levels to prevent hypoglycemia without causing any impact on the body.
Other complications of DKA include:
- Muscle strength loss
- Cardiac arrest
- Panel
- Brain edema
- Acute kidney failure
- Acute respiratory failure
- death.
Are there long-term outcomes for DKA?
If treated immediately, many people will survive DKA without long-term health effects.
However, many cases of DKA are not treated quickly enough (mainly because symptoms often appear to be influenza or other viruses).
DKA can cause permanent kidney damage, brain damage, cardiac arrest, coma, or death.
It is important to treat DKA quickly by a medical professional to prevent long-term health effects.
What is the survival rate for DKA?
DKA mortality rate is less than 5% for people under the age of 40.
The mortality rate for older people is above 20%.
Death usually occurs due to low potassium levels, induced arrhythmia, and swelling of the brain. This is more common in children.
