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Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Alternate Names : Diabetic Coma, DKA, Ketoacidosis
DefinitionDiabetic ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes mellitus caused by the buildup of by-products of fat metabolism (ketones), which occurs when glucose is not available as a fuel source for the body.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
People with diabetes lack sufficient insulin, a hormone needed to allow the body to use glucose (a simple sugar) for energy. When glucose is not available, body fat is broken down instead. The by-products of fat metabolism are ketones. When fat is metabolized, ketones build up in the blood and "spill" over into the urine. A condition called ketoacidosis develops when the blood becomes more acidic than body tissues as a result.
Blood glucose levels become elevated (usually higher than 300 mg/dL) because the liver produces glucose to try to combat the problem and because cells cannot take up that glucose without insulin. Diabetic ketoacidosis may lead to the initial diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, as it is often the first symptom that causes the person to come to medical attention. It can also be the result of increased insulin needs in someone already diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Infection, trauma, heart attack, or surgery can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis in such cases.
People with type 2 diabetes usually develop ketoacidosis only under conditions of severe stress. Poor compliance with diet and treatment is usually the cause when episodes are recurrent.
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• Definition
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis Symptoms & Signs
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis Prevention
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis Diagnosis & Tests
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis Treatment
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis Prognosis
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acidosis
• Acute Kidney Failure
• Dehydration
• Diabetes
• Heart Attack
Tests & Exams
• Amylase Test
• CO2
• CSF Collection
• Glucose Test
• Ketones - Urine
• Potassium - Urine
• Potassium Test
• Serum Magnesium - Test
• Serum Phosphorus
• Serum Sodium
• Sodium - Urine
• Urine pH
Other Topics
• Abdominal Pain
• Blood Pressure - Low
• Breath Odor
• Breathing Difficulty
• Breathing Difficulty - Lying Down
• Consciousness - Decreased
• Electrolytes
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Metabolism
• Muscle Aches
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Pulse - Bounding
• Rapid Deep Breathing (Hyperventilation)
• Stress and Anxiety
• Thirst - Excessive
• Urinary Frequency/Urgency
Review Date : 7/24/2002
Reviewed By : Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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