Diabetes can be a difficult condition to monitor. You need to consistently eat right and be aware of even slight changes concerning how you’re feeling physically… especially when there are really scary things that can happen, like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
When your cells don't get the sugar they need to make into energy, your body then starts to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. This happens when your body doesn’t have enough of the hormone insulin to turn the glucose (sugar) into energy. Excess ketones can be extremely dangerous when they build up in the blood because they can make the blood too acidic. Acidic blood is toxic to your cells and can impair them so they can’t function properly. This causes them to have a hard time fighting bacterias and viruses and they also won’t be able to process the oxygen and nutrients in your blood properly, depleting you of energy. If you’re not careful, this condition could be fatal.
DKA usually occurs over several hours and there are variety of warning signs that you should be aware of to prevent this condition from becoming dangerous. Here are a few symptoms to watch for:
If you have diabetes, you should consider buying at home ketone tests to ensure that your blood levels are in the appropriate range at all times. For example, Amazon.com has a variety of easy-to-use tests that are extremely inexpensive. If you are feeling any of the above symptoms, you can simply use a urine sample to know if you are within healthy ketone limits. The test pad will change colors and you can match your test to the chart on the box. If your level is moderate (4 mmol/L) to large (16 mmol/L), you will know that you should contact your doctor immediately.
DKA is typically characterized by hyperglycemia at levels over 250 mg/dL, a bicarbonate level less than 18 mEq/L, and a pH less than 7.30, with ketonemia and ketonuria.Okay, so what does that mean?Hyperglycemia is your blood sugar level. Bicarbonate is a chemical that acts as a buffer that keeps the pH level in your blood from becoming too acidic or too basic (pH is the acidity of your blood). Ketonemia and ketonuria means that there are excess ketones in your urine. So basically, this measures the ketones and acidity in your urine to determine if you need to get immediate medical attention.
If you are concerned about your DKA results, contact your doctor immediately. If you have dangerous levels, you’ll be admitted to the hospital where you’ll have blood tests for glucose every 1-2 hours until you’re stable, and then every 4-6 hours. You’ll be given insulin and fluids intravenously and your electrolytes will be closely monitored. It may take several days or more for your body to get back on track depending on the severity of your case.
