DKA symptoms and diabetic ketoacidosis in elderly -
Insulin allows sugar to enter cells. This causes the blood sugar level to drop. If the blood sugar level drops too quickly, the drop can lead to low blood sugar.
Low potassium, also known as hypokalemia. The fluids and insulin used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis can cause the potassium level to drop too low.
A low potassium level can affect the heart, muscles and nerves. To avoid this, potassium and other minerals are usually given with fluid replacement as part of the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Swelling in the brain, also known as cerebral edema.
Adjusting the blood sugar level too quickly can cause the brain to swell. This appears to be more common in children, especially those with newly diagnosed diabetes.
Untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to loss of consciousness and, eventually, death. There are many ways to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis and other diabetes complications. Manage your diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine.
Take diabetes medicines or insulin as directed. Monitor your blood sugar level. You might need to check and record your blood sugar level at least 3 to 4 times a day, or more often if you're ill or stressed.
Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level stays within your target range. Adjust your insulin dosage as needed. Talk to your health care provider or diabetes educator about how to make your insulin dosage work for you.
Consider factors such as your blood sugar level, what you eat, how active you are, and whether you're ill. If your blood sugar level begins to rise, follow your diabetes treatment plan to return your blood sugar level to your target range.
Check your ketone level. When you're ill or stressed, test your urine for excess ketones with a urine ketones test kit. You can buy test kits at a drugstore. If your ketone level is moderate or high, contact your health care provider right away or seek emergency care. If you have low levels of ketones, you may need to take more insulin.
Be prepared to act quickly. If you think you have diabetic ketoacidosis because your blood sugar is high and you have too many ketones in your urine, seek emergency care. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Oct 06, Show References. DKA ketoacidosis and ketones. American Diabetes Association.
Accessed Sept. Diabetic ketoacidosis DKA. Merck Manual Professional Version. Hirsch IB, et al. Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Clinical features, evaluation, and diagnosis.
Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Treatment. Ferri FF. Diabetic ketoacidosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Evans K.
Diabetic ketoacidosis: Update on management. Clinical Medicine. Associated Procedures. Chest X-rays. Electrocardiogram ECG or EKG.
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Know the warning signs of DKA and check urine for ketones, especially when you're sick. What are the warning signs of DKA? Early symptoms include the following: Thirst or a very dry mouth Frequent urination High blood glucose blood sugar levels High levels of ketones in the urine Then, other symptoms appear: Constantly feeling tired Dry or flushed skin Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
Vomiting can be caused by many illnesses, not just ketoacidosis. If vomiting continues for more than two hours, contact your health care provider. Difficulty breathing Fruity odor on breath A hard time paying attention, or confusion.
More on ketones and DKA. How do I check for ketones? Also, check for ketones when you have any symptoms of DKA. What if I find higher-than-normal levels of ketones? Call your health care provider at once if you experience the following conditions: Your urine tests show high levels of ketones.
Your urine tests show high levels of ketones and your blood glucose level is high. Your urine tests show high levels of ketones and you have vomited more than twice in four hours. What causes DKA? Here are three basic reasons for moderate or large amounts of ketones: Not enough insulin Maybe you did not inject enough insulin.
Or your body could need more insulin than usual because of illness. Not enough food When you're sick, you often don't feel like eating, sometimes resulting in high ketone levels.
High levels may also occur when you miss a meal. Insulin reaction low blood glucose If testing shows high ketone levels in the morning, you may have had an insulin reaction while asleep. We're here to help. Read More. Early detection is key to treating and managing your diabetes.
Diabetes technology has come a long way.
gov means it's official. Federal government diabetuc often end in. gov or. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. The site is secure. NCBI Bookshelf. Heart health assessments what you need ketoaccidosis know laterabout the life-threatening diabetes complication. Diabetic ketoacidosis DKA is one of the sympttoms serious complications of DKA symptoms and diabetic ketoacidosis in elderly. Symptoms can take ketoacicosis by surprise, coming on in 24 hours or less. It can be fatal without treatment, so it's important to know how to recognize it so you can respond quickly. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when your body doesn't produce enough insulin. Diabetic ketoacidosis most often affects people with type 1 diabetes but can also occur with type 2 diabetes.
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