Health Disease and Care

Inadequate levels of insulin can sometimes lead to hypertension and cause organic acids and ketons accumulation within the blood. This is a life-threatening state, usually referred to as diabetic ketoacidosis. Patient may have to face significant alterations in blood chemistry and severe dehydration quite frequently.

DKA is common among people suffering from Type 1 diabetes. This condition is normally discovered in patients below 25 years of age, though this may occur in all age groups, irrespective of the sex of the patient.

Infection, missed insulin and recently diagnosed diabetes are some of the major reasons that cause DKA. Surgery, stress, trauma, heart attack and stroke are several other identifiable reasons. In about 5-10% cases, doctors even fail to recognize the cause of DKA.

Excessive thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting, frequent urination, increased heart rate, lower blood pressure, confusion, breathing problem, dry mouth, dry skin, and weakness are the symptoms that are faced by the diabetic ketoacidosis patients. Sometimes, the distinction between the complications and symptoms of DKA becomes very arbitrary in severe cases. Swelling in brain (cerebral edema) and risk for coma are some complications that might be due to delay in the use of appropriate therapy.

If any of the above mentioned symptoms are noticed in diabetes patients, immediate medical attention is required and direct consultation ought to be sought with the emergency department of the hospital. Apart from these symptoms, high fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, chest pain and difficulty in breathing are some other warning signs that should be recognized in diabetic patients for medical assistance.

Physical examination and history of the patient is checked to confirm DKA diagnosis. Levels of blood sugar, sodium, potassium and several other electrolytes are also taken into consideration, along with sample of arterial blood gas, kidney function markers and ketone levels that help to determine blood acid concentration. ECG, chest x-ray, CT scan of the brain and urine analysis are some other tests that are utilized to analyze associated conditions that are believed to trigger DKA.

Immediate and proper treatment is mandatory for easy recovery from DKA. No time should be wasted in seeking treatment, once diabetic ketoacidosis has been diagnosed as the condition may worsen very quickly. Continuous low-dose insulin administration is the standard treatment for DKA that works by reducing glucose levels. Though a deadly disease, aggressive treatment still has a ray of hope that paves way for complete recovery of DKA patients.

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