Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is a serious condition that can occur in people with diabetes, but is more common in people with type 1 diabetes. When your body does not have enough insulin, it cannot use sugar as fuel, even though your blood sugar level may be high. Instead your body starts to burn fat for fuel, and ketones are produced as a result. As ketone levels rise in the bloodstream, they cause a serious illness called ketoacidosis.

If you don't take extra insulin when your body begins to make ketones, three things may happen:

• Your blood sugar level will keep increasing.
• Ketones may build up in the blood and make your body tissues too acidic.
• The body cells may be damaged, which can lead to severe illness and even death.

Ketoacidosis can develop very quickly, especially when you're sick with a cold, flu or any other kind of infection, or during periods of severe stress. That's why it's so important to check your blood sugar and urine ketone levels several times a day when you are sick.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis

There are several warning signs that you may be in ketoacidosis. Do not ignore them. Check your blood sugar and urine ketone levels when you:

• feel more hungry and thirsty than usual
• have to urinate more often than usual
• throw up or feel sick to your stomach
• have stomach pain
• have a fruity smell on your breath
• notice that your breathing is fast and deep
• have a fever

Treatment of ketoacidosis

This is not a condition you should try to treat yourself! Call your doctor immediately if you are ill and you have ketones in your urine. Your doctor will tell you what to do. If you are unable to reach your doctor, go to the nearest emergency room right away.