Diabetic Ketoacidosis Prevention and Measures

Ketone monitoring is important to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis and lower the risk of an attack. Follow the measures below and apply them whenever needed:

• If your blood sugar level gets abnormally high, speak to your doctor about it. Ensure that you can reach your doctor in an emergency.

• Take extra care and monitor your blood glucose levels closely when you are suffering from an illness or infection especially, pneumonia and urinary tract infection.

• Check your blood glucose level regularly, every one or two hours, to ensure that blood glucose levels do not reach critical levels, i.e. more than 250 mg per dL.

• If your blood glucose levels exceed 250 mg per dL, test your urine for ketones.

• In an event when you are forced to skip meals, continue to take insulin because your body needs it. Ask your doctor how to change the insulin dose.

• If you have high blood glucose levels, make up the balance by taking extra insulin. If your extra dose isn't helping you or you don't have any extra insulin, call your doctor immediately.

• Drink a lot of liquids that are free of sugar and caffeine. Sip them slowly every few minutes if you feel sick in the stomach.

• Refrain from eating foods that are high in carbs if your blood glucose levels exceed 250 mg per dL.

• If you suffer fever, cough or a sore throat every time you urinate or pass a stool, see your doctor immediately.

• If you use an insulin pump, alway bring along a needle so that in an event when your pump doesn't work, you do not miss your insulin treatment.

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