Diagnosis, Prevention, And Treatment For Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Take Medication As Directed

Patients with diabetes should always take medication as directed by their doctors to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis as well as other complications of diabetes. Some patients may be on multiple medications, including oral tablets and injectable medicines, and the dosing schedule can sometimes be confusing. Patients may need to use a pill organizer for their oral medications, and keeping a log of their injections can help. Some online apps are designed to help with medication reminders, and wearable fitness watches often do too. Some pharmacies will provide pre-packaged bags containing all of the patient's medicines sorted by day and time. If they are having trouble understanding medication dosages or schedules, patients should always ask their doctors for help. Any side effects should be reported so any available alternative medications can be explored.

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Ketone Level Tests

Ketone level tests may be used to diagnose an individual with diabetic ketoacidosis and treat it in current patients. Ketones can be tested and measured through an affected individual's urine and blood. An individual's physician may test for ketones in the urine or blood if the level of glucose in the blood exceeds 240 milligrams per deciliter or symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis are present. Three different types of ketones exist in an individual's blood referred to as acetone, 3-β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate. Blood tests for ketones show if all the ketone levels are low to normal, medium to moderate, or high to large. A patient who has a high glucose level on a blood test, as well as high ketone levels on a ketone test, will be diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis. Some diabetes patients have a regular issue with ketone buildup in their blood and may be instructed to use urine ketone tests regularly as part of their treatment plan.

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