What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis? What are various diabetic ketoacidosis treatment available today?
Diabetic
Ketoacidosis (DKC), also known as ketoacidemia, is a life-threatening
complication of diabetes type I (but quite uncommon, it may happen in patients
with type 2 diabetes), which occurs when the body produces excessive amounts of
ketone (derived from fat) due to shortage of insulin. Diabetic ketoacidosis
diagnosis can be established by a high blood glucose level, low blood ketone
levels, and elevated acidity of the blood. It is often accompanied by a rash,
inflammation of skin and eyes, stomach cramps, and a feeling of nausea. Diabetic
ketoacidosis can lead to several other illnesses if not treated immediately
such as ketosis, dehydration, brain damage, nerve damage, coma, seizures, heart
failure, and even death
Diabetic
ketoacidosis treatment begins with a
careful calculation of the amount of glucose available for the body to use as
fuel. This amount of glucose must be sufficient for all body functions, but
especially important to the brain, kidneys, and peripheral organs, the level of
glucose in the blood must be sufficient to provide for all of these body
functions except for drinking fluids. Excess glucose in the blood leads to
dehydration, a condition that may result in brain seizures and eventually
death. Therefore, Diabetic ketoacidosis treatment starts with keeping the blood
glucose level as low as possible, if not totally controlled.
The
most frequent symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis is frequent urination. The
symptoms of dehydration may include frequent urination, thirst, dry mouth,
dizziness, faintness, and fatigue. In some cases, a patient may also have
swollen legs and toes. Other symptoms not specific to this condition include
irritability, depression, impotence, increased hunger, frequent urination,
tremors, and increased pulse rates. Less frequent symptoms of diabetic
ketoacidosis may include lethargy, poor memory, constipation, and an increase
in the level of cholesterol.
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