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.
The presence of the fatty acid in the blood changes the chemistry of the blood and makes it more acidic than it ought to be. This condition is called ketoacidosis. The body is sufficiently competent to eliminate the excess ketones from the blood on a regular basis. If the ketoacidosis goes beyond the normal level and if it is chronic, then the normal blood chemistry is altered to such an extent that normal life becomes impossible for the sufferer. The high-risk categories are more likely to get diabetic ketoacidosis, but the other catgories are vulnerable to this condition nonetheless.
Diabetic ketoacidosis becomes dangerous due to delayed treatment. Most people who have diabetic ketoacidosis aren’t even aware that they have it. The symptoms manifest themselves in the later stages of the condition. Recognizing them may well mean the difference between a life-critical existence and a normal one. The chief symptoms that are easily discernible are given here for your information.
Lip and skin dryness, heightened skin temperature, abnormal skin tone such as paleness or flushed appearance, are directly related to diabetic ketoacidosis.
The severe change in the blood chemistry can cause blurred vision and similar vision problems.
Diabetics with diabetic ketoacidosis emit a peculiarly sickening “sweet” odor from their breath. It seems very like the smell from a horse’s mouth which has just fed on fresh grass!
Listless behavior.
Diabetic ketoacidosis severely reduces the appetite. Sometimes, a person will not be able to keep the food down, bringing it up almost immediately after eating it.
Mental confusion and lack of comprehension.
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!
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Tags: Diabetes