Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Being a diabetic, there may be many complications that one may have to overcome. Many diabetics lose feeling in their arms, legs, feet and fingers while othersome lose their eyesight over the years as well as hearing. A weak immune system makes the healing process for diabetics much more difficult.

A diabetics biggest fear is going into Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Diabetic Ketoacidosis is the  body’s way of shutting down and slowly,  organs begin to shut down from the amount of sugar in the body. DKA includes hyperglycemia, hyperosmolality, metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of ketoacids, extracellular and intracellular fluid volume depletion, and varying degrees of electrolyte deficiency, particularly  potassium and phosphate.1

Diabetics who  have extremely high blood sugar, are vomiting or have body aches, need to seek medical attention immediately. Hospitalization is needed in order to bring blood sugar levels back to where they are supposed to be with insulin and fluid from an IV. Without proper attention and medical assistance, the patient’s body can shut down and may cause them to go into a coma or worse. The most horrifying experience for a diabetic is to be in a condition where they feel their body start to shut down. Elevated blood sugar levels and insulin deficiency can trigger hyperglycemia and result in Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Treatment consists of adequate correction of the dehydration, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis and electrolyte deficits.2

1. Adrogué, H. J., Eknoyan, G., & Suki, W. K. (1984). Diabetic ketoacidosis: role of the kidney in the acid-base homeostasis re-evaluated. Kidney international, 25(4), 591-598.
2. Chiasson, J. L., Aris-Jilwan, N., Bélanger, R., Bertrand, S., Beauregard, H., Ékoé, J. M., ... & Havrankova, J. (2003). Diagnosis and treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis and the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 168(7), 859-866.