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Diabetic ketoacidosis: Do you know its fatal cause?
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially fatal complication of diabetes. This condition can occur when the body lacks enough insulin, and as symptoms progress rapidly, patients may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, frequent urination, exhaustion, confusion, and even occasional loss of consciousness. When a patient's breath has a specific "fruity" smell, this is usually one of the indicators of DKA. How to effectively prevent and treat this serious disease has become a topic of continued discussion in the medical community.
"The occurrence of diabetic ketoacidosis, especially before a first diabetes diagnosis, can present patients with life-or-death challenges."
Causes of DKA
Diabetic ketoacidosis most commonly occurs in people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, but it can also occur suddenly in those who have not been diagnosed. Common triggers include infection, incorrect use of insulin, stroke, and certain medications such as steroids. When there is insufficient insulin, the body switches to burning fat, which results in the production of acidic ketone bodies, which ultimately lead to acidification of the blood due to the accumulation of these ketone bodies.
"DKA is usually diagnosed when blood sugar levels are too high, blood pH is too low, and ketones are present."
Symptoms of DKA
Symptoms of DKA usually develop rapidly within about 24 hours. The main symptoms include nausea, vomiting, thirst, excessive urination and severe abdominal pain. In severe cases of DKA, breathing becomes rapid and shallow and rapid, which is called "Kusmal's breathing." In addition, dehydration of the patient's skin and rapid heartbeat may also occur.
"The presence of Kussmaul's breathing is an important indicator of the severity of DKA."
Diagnosis process
In diagnosing diabetic ketoacidosis, doctors will perform a series of tests to check for high blood sugar, ketone bodies in the blood or urine, and metabolic acidosis. For example, measurements of blood pH can help detect the extent of acidosis. Particularly in children, further imaging may be necessary if there is a suspected risk of cerebral edema.
Treatment of DKA
The main treatment goals of DKA are to replace lost fluids and electrolytes while suppressing hyperglycemia and ketone body production through insulin. During the treatment process, medical staff will closely monitor the patient's blood sugar and potassium ion levels to prevent hypokalemia. Treatment includes intravenous injection of normal saline, insulin, and potassium supplementation when necessary.
"Patients are strongly recommended to maintain stable monitoring of blood glucose and potassium levels during treatment."
Preventive measures
In people with known diabetes, the onset of DKA can be prevented by following the "sick day rule." The rules provide patients with clear guidance on self-management when sick, including when to increase insulin doses and stay hydrated. In addition, patients can self-test their ketone levels and seek medical help if they rise.
For undiagnosed patients
For those who have never been diagnosed with diabetes, DKA may be their first noticeable symptom. This condition is more common in certain groups of people and may be more likely to occur in response to infections, negative emotions, and poor eating habits. This should make medical professionals vigilant and ready to test people who have similar symptoms but have not yet been diagnosed.
How to better understand the risks and prevention strategies of diabetic ketoacidosis in life?
