If your body is unable to produce insulin adequately, you won’t be able to use sugar properly for energy. Without sugar, your body turns to releasing hormones that break down fat for energy instead. Unfortunately, this process produces toxic acids called ketones. Too much of these toxins in your bloodstream and urine results in diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a condition that must be treated immediately or it can prove to be fatal.
Treatments
Usually, an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis requires a visit to the hospital or emergency room since it requires treatment within 24 to 48 hours. The most important thing is to reduce your ketone levels, get hydrated, and balance your blood chemistry as soon as possible. This is usually accomplished through intravenous supplementations of fluids, electrolytes, and insulin.
Once your blood sugar and acidity return to normal levels, your doctor will probably try to figure out what was the cause of this specific episode and try to treat it accordingly to prevent it from happening again.
For example, if the diabetic ketoacidosis episode was caused by an infection, such as urinary tract infection, then antibiotics will probably be prescribed. Sometimes diabetic ketoacidosis is the first indication that you have diabetes, so your doctor will help you make a diabetes treatment plan. If the doctor suspects that the episode was triggered by heart-related reasons, he or she might recommend further evaluation of your heart.
Prevention
The best way to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis is maintaining control over your blood glucose levels. When using insulin, it is important to pay attention to small factors that may affect effectiveness. For example, don’t use expired insulin or insulin that has clumps. If you’re on an insulin pump, look closely for insulin leaks and check your tube connections for air bubbles regularly. Check your blood sugar regularly, and contact your doctor as soon as possible if your blood sugar levels are often out of your target range.
Aside from using insulin dosing correctly, there are other things you can do to minimize your risk for diabetic ketoacidosis. Always be sure to take your other medications as directed. Follow your recommended meal plan as closely and as consistently as possible. Look into exercise programs that might be right for you. Maintaining healthy diet and regular physical activity will be beneficial to managing your diabetes effectively and preventing dangerous complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
You can also purchase an over-the-counter urine ketones testing kit that can help you keep a check on your ketone levels, especially when you are ill or under a lot of stress. If you see your ketone levels are moderate or high, this is an indication that a diabetic ketoacidosis episode might be on the way, so always be prepared to act quickly. If either your blood sugar or ketone levels seem abnormal, you need to be able to seek emergency care immediately.
