Diabetic ketoacidosis (patient information)
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What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
How do I know if I have diabetic ketoacidosis and what are the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis?
The following signs and symptoms warn you the possibility of diabetic ketoacidosis:
- Shortness of breath
- Fruity breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive thirst
- Dry skin and mouth
- Flushed face
- Frequent urination
- Stomach pain
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness or fatigue
- Confusion, stupor that may progress to coma
Who is at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis?
- For patients with type 1 diabetes, stresses such as infection, trauma, heart attack,surgery or missing doses of insulin, can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis.
- People with type 2 diabetes, not usually as type 1, may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis as a complication by a severe illness.
How to know you have diabetic ketoacidosis?
- The patient with medical history of diabetes, during an illness such as pneumonia, heart attack, stroke or pregnancy.
- Blood sugar level higher than 240 mg/dl.
- Higer blood ketone level
- Arterial blood gas: When diabetic ketoacidosis occurs, the blood will become acidic (acidosis). This can damage organs throughout the body.
- Urinalysis：Sugar and ketone can be checked in urin of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Additional tests, such as a chest X-ray or a electrocardiogram, may be needed to help the doctor determine what triggered the episode of diabetic ketoacidosis or what damage the ketoacidosis may have caused.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for diabetic ketoacidosis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating diabetic ketoacidosis
Prevention of diabetic ketoacidosis
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/diabetic-ketoacidosis/DS00674/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print