By Adam Garcia
In Diabetic Dictionary today we will be discussing what DKA is and how it affects a diabetic.
DKA is an acronym for Diabetic ketoacidosis. It is a state of inadequate insulin levels resulting in high blood sugar and accumulation of organic acids and ketones in the blood. It is also common in DKA to have severe dehydration and significant alterations of the body’s blood chemistry.
DKA is usually seen in people who have Type 1 diabetes. Most often, these are diabetics younger than 25 years, but the condition may occur in diabetics of any age. Males and females are equally affected.
DKA leaves the muscle, fat, and liver cells unable to use glucose in the blood as fuel. Other hormones such as glucagon, growth hormone, and adrenaline cause fat to break down within the cells of these tissues into glucose and fatty acids. These fatty acids are converted to ketones by a process called oxidation. The body is literally consuming muscle, fat, and liver cells for fuel.
In diabetic ketoacidosis the body shifts from its normal metabolism using carbohydrates for fuel to a fasting state using fat for fuel. The result of increase in blood sugar because it cannot be transported into cells for future use causes increased urination and dehydration. Commonly, 10% of total body fluids may be lost. Significant loss of potassium from urination is also common.
The most common events that can cause a person with diabetes to enter a state of diabetic ketoacidosis are infection (40%), missed insulin (25%), and/or newly diagnosed or previously unknown diabetes (15%. Various other causes may include a heart attack, stroke, trauma, stress, and surgery. There is no identifiable cause 5-10% of the time.
Someone developing diabetic ketoacidosis may have these symptoms:
- Thirst, drinking lots of fluids
- Frequent urination
- General weakness
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- A general ill appearance
- Dry skin
- Dry mouth
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Increased rate of breathing
- Sometimes a distinctive fruity odor on the breath
People with diabetes should be taken to the hospital’s emergency department if they appear significantly ill, dehydrated, confused, or very weak or any of the symptoms above.
Steps to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis include close monitoring and control of blood sugars, especially during times of infection, stress, trauma, or other serious illness; taking insulin injections on time; and contacting the physician when needed.
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