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Diabetic ketoacidosis
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Diabetic ketoacidosis is a diabetes emergency in which three things come together: hyperglycemia, which is high blood sugar; ketonemia, which means ketones circulating in the blood; and acidosis, which means the blood becomes more acidic than normal. It is seen most often in type 1 diabetes, although under certain circumstances it can also occur in type 2.
Here is how the ketones form. When insulin is lacking and counterregulatory hormones, the ones that work against insulin, rise at the same time, adipose tissue, the body's fat, releases fatty acids into the blood. The liver takes them up and oxidizes them, meaning it breaks them down step by step, until they become ketone bodies. With them come ketonemia and acidosis: the blood gradually turns sour, like a glass of water with lemon squeezed into it.
Water comes into play too. High blood sugar can cause polyuria and polydipsia, meaning urinating a lot and being very thirsty. As the body loses volume, the person may urinate less and have a dry mouth: these are signs of dehydration.
In brief
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a metabolic emergency with hyperglycemia, acidosis and ketonemia; it is most often associated with type 1 diabetes, but under certain circumstances it can affect type 2.
With too little insulin and more counterregulatory hormones, adipose tissue releases fatty acids that the liver oxidizes into ketone bodies, producing ketonemia and metabolic acidosis.
The blood turns sour, like lemon water.
Hyperglycemia can cause polyuria and polydipsia; as the person loses volume, they may urinate less and have a dry mouth, signs of dehydration.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingAdult Diabetic Ketoacidosis, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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