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[ Up ] [ Hypoglycemia ] [ Diabetic Foot ] [ Diabetic Eye complications ] [ Diabetes and Kidney damage ] [ Diabetic Neuropathy ] [ Macrovascular complications ] [ Lipid disorder in diabetics ] [ Hypertension in diabetics ] [ Diabetic Ketoacidosis ]
DIABETIC
KETOACIDOSIS (DKA)
Diabetic ketoacidosis, also called diabetic coma.
 |
A
life-threatening condition that can occur in patients with diabetes mellitus. | |
It
is caused by failure to take insulin or anything that increases the body's need
for insulin, as infection, surgery, injury, or stress. | |
Warning signs include a
dull headache, fatigue, extreme thirst, pain below the breastbone, nausea, dry
lips, sunken eyes, and a fruity breath odor. The temperature usually rises and
then falls. | |
The ketoacidosis is a medical emergency. The person should be taken
to a hospital as soon as symptoms develop. | |
Immediate treatment is to give
insulin and replace fluids to help dehydration. |
Diabetic
ketoacidosis is a metabolic disorder consisting of three major abnormalities:
-
Elevated
glucose level. (hyperglycemia).
-
High
ketone bodies in blood. (hyperketonemia)
-
Metabolic
acidosis.
Dehydration
and hyperosmolarity are usually present.
Precipitating
factors for Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
|
DKA
develops due to either an absolute or a relative absence of insulin. | |
In
Type 2diabetes, it is usually a
relative lack of insulin, whereas in Type
1diabetes there is an absolute
absence of insulin. |
Causes of Diabetic
ketoacidosis
-
Absolute
lack of insulin
Type 1 diabetes
-
Relative lack of insulin
1.
Acute illness :Infection, trauma, stroke, heart attack. etc.
2.
Endocrine disorders.
3.
Drugs like steroids, beta blockers, alcohol etc.
Clinical features
|
Polyuria
(increased urination). | |
Polydipsia
(increased thirst). | |
Weight
loss. | |
Anorexia
(decreased appetite). | |
Nausea
and /or vomiting. | |
Abdominal
pain. | |
Dehydration.
(sunken eye balls, dry tongue, reduced tissue turgor). | |
Shock. | |
Hyperventilation
(increased respiration-Kussmaul's breathing). | |
Smell
of ketone. (chemical substance formed in body in Diabetic ketoacidosis) | |
Precipitating
illness like infections etc. | |
Confusion
and later on coma (5-10%). |
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