Diabetic Ketoacidosis – its Causes and its Treatments

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a result of diabetes. When a patient has it, there exists an increased risk for suffering damage to the kidneys. Untreated, it can be fatal. Type one diabetes patients are more likely to have diabetic ketoacidosis than type two, but it can strike either version of the disease.

The insulin deficiency that defines diabetes can lead to a ketoacidosis state. When this occurs, the body enters an extreme conservation mode. By turning to fatty acids for energy instead of blood glucose, which may not be available due to the insufficient insulin levels, the body begins triggering the creation of ketones. The ketones lead to an increase in blood pH levels. Meanwhile, the glucose that couldn’t get into the blood tends to be absorbed in the intestines and stomach, leading to a hyperglycemic state. At that point, the kidneys are being worked overtime to reduce the glucose levels via urination, and that often results in dehydration.

The condition is very serious, and often requires hospitalization to correct. Regular monitoring of blood glucose is critical to detecting whether or not you’re experiencing ketoacidosis. Urine glucose levels need to be checked as well, especially if your blood glucose is higher than 250 mg/dL. Keeping extra insulin on hand can be extremely beneficial to reduce the chance of problems.

Key Points:

  • 1One of the complications that can arise from diabetes is diabetic ketoacidosis, which can damage your kidneys and be fatal.
  • 2If the body enters a hyperglycemic state, the kidneys can be pushed too hard as they try to remove the excess glucose.
  • 3Diabetics should keep extra insulin around, and learn how to check their urine glucose levels if blood tests show a problem.


If blood glucose levels continue to rise, ketones increase to moderate or large, or abdominal pain or nausea stops the intake of fluids, it’s time to seek help.
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Written by HealthStatus
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our health risk assessment, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years.

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