Diabetic Ketoacidosis Triggers and Symptoms

DKA is more common in patients suffering from type 1 diabetes who have little or no insulin in their bodies. However, the condition is not uncommon in type 2 diabetes patients especially those who have persistent high sugar levels and those who skip taking insulin.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is commonly triggered, in both type 1 diabetics and type 2 diabetics, by one or a combination of the following:

• when patients have insufficient insulin due to a missed treatment or insufficient dosage

• when patients are suffering from a severe infection or illness leading to an imbalance of hormones such as adrenaline or cortisol which affect the activity of insulin

• when patients are highly dehydrated

Diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms include:

• Extreme thirst and frequent urination

• Blurred vision and confusion

• Vomiting

• Difficulty breathing

• Unsual breath that smells fruity

• Diarrhea more than five times in six hours

• Stomach pain

• Two blood glucose level tests with over 300 mg per dL

If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

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