Diabetic ketoacidosis is a silent killer on the prowl. This deadly condition upsets the blood chemistry so severely that the patient's very life is threatened. Studies have shown that there are three high-risk categories of people who are more vulnerable to diabetic ketoacidosis. The first category includes those who are seriously diabetic (Type 1). The second includes those who are severely dehydrated. The third includes those who have had massive infections by bacteria or viruses. The rest of the population may not be that much at risk, but make no mistake, just about everybody is on this prowler's hit-list. Make sure you don't get your name up on that list!
Diabetic ketoacidosis is an extremely critical metabolic condition. Normal metabolism breaks the food into the basic form of sugar called glucose. The glucose is used as an energy source for the muscles. Unused glucose is converted to fats and stored for future use in the adipose tissue found all over the body. If the body's energy requirements cannot be met by the glucose circulating in the blood, the fats are converted back to glucose, and this reconverted glucose is used to meet the energy demands of the body.
This reconversion releases ketones which are fatty acids, and the level of ketones in the blood exceeds the normal. This condition is called 'ketoacidosis'. If a person's blood is heavily infected by external organisms like bacteria or viruses, then ketoacidosis is more likely to occur. A person suffering from severe dehydration is also prone to ketoacidosis. Diabetics are more likely to develop ketoacidosis.
In brief, the condition itself is not so much the danger as the delay in treatment is. Why is there this delay? Because the symptoms become evident only after the condition is firmly entrenched. The particular symptoms one should look out for are enumerated below.
The skin is the first give-away of diabetic ketoacidosis. It becomes dry, even the lips become dry. It is either flushed or extremely pale. Though the body temperature may be normal, the skin temperature is elevated.
Blurred vision.
Sickly sweet smelling breath.
The person with diabetic ketoacidosis can feel very tired, so tired that he sleeps almost throughout the day. He won't even take part in those activities that he likes.
A person with diabetic ketoacidosis can't eat. He doesn't feel like eating at all. If he does attempt a light meal, he brings it up almost immediately, with violent retching.
The extremely abnormal blood chemistry can affect the brain. The person with this condition can become severely disoriented.
Careful monitoring of the blood glucose is the only effective way to control diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetics who require insulin shots should be extremely regular in taking them. Dehydration must be countered by taking rehydration salts. Supplementary glucose should be taken if the glucose level drops sharply below the minimum level. Everything must be done under proper medical supervision, that goes without saying for such a serious, and possibly fatal, condition! The treatment is not an overnight cure, but it is the only effective one. Take care!
Diabetic ketoacidosis is an extremely critical metabolic condition. Normal metabolism breaks the food into the basic form of sugar called glucose. The glucose is used as an energy source for the muscles. Unused glucose is converted to fats and stored for future use in the adipose tissue found all over the body. If the body's energy requirements cannot be met by the glucose circulating in the blood, the fats are converted back to glucose, and this reconverted glucose is used to meet the energy demands of the body.
This reconversion releases ketones which are fatty acids, and the level of ketones in the blood exceeds the normal. This condition is called 'ketoacidosis'. If a person's blood is heavily infected by external organisms like bacteria or viruses, then ketoacidosis is more likely to occur. A person suffering from severe dehydration is also prone to ketoacidosis. Diabetics are more likely to develop ketoacidosis.
In brief, the condition itself is not so much the danger as the delay in treatment is. Why is there this delay? Because the symptoms become evident only after the condition is firmly entrenched. The particular symptoms one should look out for are enumerated below.
The skin is the first give-away of diabetic ketoacidosis. It becomes dry, even the lips become dry. It is either flushed or extremely pale. Though the body temperature may be normal, the skin temperature is elevated.
Blurred vision.
Sickly sweet smelling breath.
The person with diabetic ketoacidosis can feel very tired, so tired that he sleeps almost throughout the day. He won't even take part in those activities that he likes.
A person with diabetic ketoacidosis can't eat. He doesn't feel like eating at all. If he does attempt a light meal, he brings it up almost immediately, with violent retching.
The extremely abnormal blood chemistry can affect the brain. The person with this condition can become severely disoriented.
Careful monitoring of the blood glucose is the only effective way to control diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetics who require insulin shots should be extremely regular in taking them. Dehydration must be countered by taking rehydration salts. Supplementary glucose should be taken if the glucose level drops sharply below the minimum level. Everything must be done under proper medical supervision, that goes without saying for such a serious, and possibly fatal, condition! The treatment is not an overnight cure, but it is the only effective one. Take care!
About the Author:
There are two things everyone should have to help control their diabetes. The first is an ample supply of diabetic testing supplies and the other is a wholesome diabetic diet plan. Visit www.Diabetes-Diabetic-Diet-Plans.com to learn more about this disease and methods to control it.
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