Diabetic Ketoacidosis
What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis?
Diabetic Ketoacidosis is a health state prevailing among people that suffer of diabetes. Diabetic people, because of the lack of insulin, tend to be vulnerable and are prone to develop more health complications than non-diabetic people. Diabetic Ketoacidosis is a health complication that is developed, especially, among people who are suffered from kind 1 diabetes. It is a condition that is caused when acids known as ketones develop inside in the bloodstream of people suffering of diabetes.
Although it is a health condition that is most likely to develop among Type 1 (Juvenile Diabetes) diabetic people it does not mean that similar complications cannot develop among people suffering of Type 2 diabetes. In effect, some Type 2 diabetic sufferers sometimes can fall in a hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma which, according to health specialists, is a similar health condition. Hence as the adage rightly says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
How Diabetic Ketoacidosis occurs
Diabetic Ketoacidosis develops when the metabolism cannot convert sugar to produce energy into the body cells and when endogenic energy sources are not available. In such cases, to survive, the body needs to find other sources of energy and uses fatty acids and amino acids as substitutes.
The process of breaking down fats and proteins to produce energy is often described as a ‘cannibalising process’ in that the body is auto-destroying itself for survival. This metabolic process results in a diabetic condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Kenosis results from an anomalous deposit of ketones following metabolic processing of essential fats for production of energy and causing little carbohydrate metabolic processes. This process causes the quick reduction in bloodstream pH that subsequently leads to ketoacidosis and the discharge of ketones in the urine.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Symptoms
The signs of this health condition are: dysfunctional bladder with people urinating regularly; constant dehydration causing a thirsty state; high blood sugar levels and high levels of ketones in urine. Health specialists suggest that there are other correlated symptoms that are direct or indirect causal symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis such as lassitude which is a chronic sign resulting from low energy; respiratory problems; flush and dehydrated skin; a fruity and acetone aroma when breathing that might make people think that the person has been over drinking alcohol; attention and concentration problems; stomach discomfort producing constant nauseate condition and vomiting and abdominal pain.
People should not undermine that Diabetic Ketoacidosis because it can kill. Statistics estimate that approximately two per cent of the diabetic people who developed diabetic ketoacidosis die. People who notice the signs and symptoms of this life threatening condition should take appropriate preventive and curing actions.
Ketoacidosis in diabetic people is also at the root of a chain of health complications. Diabetic ketoacidosis is the main cause of hyperglycaemia that triggers osmotic dieresis which causes dehydration and triggers lactic acidosis. Acidosis decreases pH and leads to Kussmaul’s respiration which is a stimulation of the respiratory system that causes deep and quick breathing. If Diabetic Ketoacidosis is not treated it can cause other life threatening health complications.