About this topic
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious problem. It may happen when you have high blood sugar and you dont treat it. Your body needs insulin. This controls the amount of sugar in your blood. The food we eat contains sugar. Insulin changes this sugar into energy which is needed by your body. ‚
If you do not have the right amount of insulin in your body, it will use fats for energy instead of sugar. Ketones are made after the fat is used for energy. If you continue to not have enough sugar, then more and more ketones will be made. Ketones are an acid that will increase in your blood and show up in your urine. Ketones poison your body. This leads to diabetic ketoacidosis. ‚
Doctors treat this illness in the hospital by replacing the lost fluids and minerals. They will also give you insulin so your body can use sugar for energy. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you understand everything the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Learn how to take your own blood sugar and check ketone levels in your urine. Ask your doctor about home kits. The doctor may want you to use test strips to check your urine for ketones if your blood sugar is higher than 240. Write down your blood sugar and ketone amounts each time you take them. This will help your doctor while treating your illness.
- Wear your medical alert bracelet at all times.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids each day.
- Eat at set times and follow a diabetic diet.
- Control your blood sugar. Keep taking your insulin as ordered. If using an insulin pump, check if it works the right way.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may need to have your blood sugar or other lab tests taken to see if you are having more problems. Be sure to have your blood taken as ordered.
- Your doctor may check for and treat any infections.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Control blood ketones
- Control blood sugar
- Control acidity of the blood
- Replace nutrients
- Treat other illnesses or infections
- Treat nausea and throwing up
Will physical activity be limited?
- Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Be sure to add to your fluid intake during exercise, sports, or tiring activities.
- Pay close attention to your blood sugar when exercising.
What problems could happen?
- Blood sugar that is too high or too low
- Low potassium levels
- Too much acid in the body
- Swelling in the brain
- Kidney failure
- Problems breathing
- Coma
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Presence of ketones in your blood or urine
- Signs of low blood sugar. These include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.
- Signs of high blood sugar. These include sleepiness, blurry eyesight, passing urine more often, increased thirst, breath has a fruity sweet smell, deep and rapid breathing, dry and flushed skin, upset stomach and throwing up, abdominal pain, muscle aches or stiffness, headache, dizziness, trouble paying attention, confusion, shortness of breath, or passing out.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how often I need to check my blood sugar.
- I can tell you the signs of high blood sugar and what I will do if I have them.
- I can tell you the signs of low blood sugar and what I will do if I have them.
Where can I learn more?
American Diabetes Association ‚
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/ketoacidosis-dka.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚