Diagnosis, Prevention, And Treatment For Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Urinalysis

An individual who is suspected of having diabetic ketoacidosis may need to undergo a urinalysis to check for ketone presence in their urine. A diabetes patient who does not manage their glucose levels properly will develop diabetic ketoacidosis because there is not enough insulin to carry out the process of ATP production from glucose. When the cells cannot produce cellular energy from glucose because there is no insulin present, they have to utilize fats to produce energy instead. The process the cells use to make energy out of fats is referred to as ketogenesis in the medical community. Ketones are acids produced as a byproduct of the ketogenesis process. When insulin is not supplied to the body of a diabetes patient, their body will carry out excessive ketogenesis processes to produce energy the cells can use. An individual's kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from their blood like ketones so they can be excreted through the urine. High levels of ketones in the blood are directly correlated with high levels of ketones in the urine.

Read more about treating and preventing diabetic ketoacidosis now.

Check Ketones Regularly

Aside from regular ketone checks on their blood and urine at their physician's office, an individual may need to check for ketones regularly at home to keep their diabetes from progressing to diabetic ketoacidosis. The American Diabetes Association recommends that each diabetes patient check their urine ketone levels when their blood sugar levels exceed 240 milligrams per deciliter. When individuals who have diabetes become sick or ill, it is recommended that they check their ketone levels by their blood monitor or urine dipstick every four to six hours. An individual who has diabetes and feels they are experiencing symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, confusion, fruity-smelling breath, and shortness of breath should also use their blood monitor or urine dipsticks to check their ketone levels. Being proactive and having knowledge of when ketone levels rise can help an individual prevent complications caused by a state of ketoacidosis.

Uncover more ways to prevent and treat diabetic ketoacidosis now.