Symptoms Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetes is the inability of the body to reduce the glucose level in the blood. In Type 1 diabetes this is thought to be an autoimmune condition where the immune systems think the beta cells in the pancreas are harmful and destroys them. The beta cells are responsible for creating insulin that is a hormone responsible for reducing the glucose levels in our blood. Type 1 diabetics use synthetic insulin to perform this function. They do this through injection or an insulin pump. This is known as  insulin replacement therapy. Along with reducing the glucose level in blood, the insulin allows glucose to be used by the body. Glucose in the blood is effectively the body's energy source. It sustains the brain, muscles and other vital organs and keeps them functioning normally. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the glucose can't be used as an energy source and the body resorts to using stored fat for this purpose. This sets up a sequence of reactions that could lead to unconsciousness or coma. This article will explain the sequence of events that occur and some of the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis often occurs when someone with type 1 diabetes misses their insulin injections for any length of time. It may also occur if that person is sick, undergoing some kind of surgery, is emotionally stressed out or takes and excessive amount of alcohol (although these cases are far less common than missed insulin).

This causes the following to occur :

The body can't use the glucose in the blood so it goes to the backup system. This is the fat and muscles cells in the body (known as glycogen).

Fat cells are converted by the liver into Fatty acids and ketone bodies that can be used as energy for the body. Aminoacids from muscle protein are converted by the liver to glucose. Glucagon, the hormone that initiates this process is increased which leads to more glucose being produced and put in the bloodstream.

A by product of this process is the increase of keto acids in the bloodstream. When there is too much keto acids in the blood a condition known as ketosis or diabetic keto acidosis. This is a serious condition that will involve unconsciousness or coma in the person.

Common diabetic ketoacidosis signs are :

Severe dehydration,
Frequent Urination,
Loss of appetite,
Vomiting,
Pain in the belly,
fast and deep breathing,
Altered mental status and lethargy.

Another distinctive diabetic ketoacidosis symptom that may be noticed by other people is that the sufferer will smell fruity (especially the breath). This is a result of acetone and acetoacetate in the bloodstream.

If you suspect that you may have one of these symptoms and are type 1 diabetic then you should seek medical assistance immediately.

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