Symptoms might include:. Preventioj you have high ketone levels in your Prebention and suspect DKA, you should get medical help straight away. Ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.

DKA symptoms prevention -

Infection can increase the risk of DKA. If your DKA is a result of an infection or illness, your doctor will treat that as well, usually with antibiotics. At the hospital, your physician will likely give you intravenous IV fluids to help your body rehydrate.

During a DKA event, you usually lose a lot of fluids, which can reduce the amount of blood flowing through your body. Fluid replacement helps restore typical blood flow. It also helps treat dehydration , which can cause even higher blood sugar levels. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help your body, including the heart and nerves, function properly.

Electrolyte replacement is also commonly done through an IV. The emergency care team will also monitor several other blood test results that indicate when insulin therapy is no longer needed. When your blood sugar and other test readings are within an acceptable range, your doctor will work with you to help you avoid DKA in the future.

DKA occurs when insulin levels are low. Our bodies need insulin to use the available glucose in the blood. Turning fat into energy produces ketones. When too many ketones build up, your blood becomes acidic. This is diabetic ketoacidosis. Although DKA is less common in people who have type 2 diabetes, it does occur.

A diagnosis of ketosis-prone diabetes is more likely for:. Testing for ketones is one of the first steps for diagnosing DKA. If you have type 1 diabetes, you should have a supply of home ketone tests.

These test either your urine or your blood for the presence of ketones. According to the American Diabetes Association , you should test for ketones:. Urine test strips change color to signal the presence of ketones in your urine.

The indicator on the strip will change color. Compare the test strip to the results chart. Blood ketone testers are also available. These are usually combination devices that can measure both glucose levels and ketone levels.

The test strip is inserted into a monitor device to test for the presence of ketones in your blood. A doctor will likely do a test to confirm the presence of ketones in your urine. They will usually also test your blood sugar level.

Other tests your doctor may order include:. There are many ways to prevent DKA. You can lower your risk of DKA with proper management of your diabetes:.

Call your doctor if you detect moderate or high ketones in a home test. Early detection is essential. DKA is serious, but it can be prevented. Follow your diabetes treatment plan and be proactive about your health.

They can adjust your treatment plan or help you come up with solutions for better managing your diabetes. Read this article in Spanish. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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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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