Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
DKA is where there is a consistently high blood sugar and not enough insulin.
This means that the body cannot use glucose as energy and turns to fat as an energy source.
When you use fat as energy you produce ketones.
Ketones are poisonous in large quantities.
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Urinary frequency
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Thirsty
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Nausea or Vomiting
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Abdominal pain
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Smell of ketones on breath
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Change in breathing
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Tiredness
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Confusion
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Coma
Ketones will be present in urine and blood on testing!!
Symptoms
Causes
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Missing insulin
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Faulty pen or pump
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Illness
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Stress
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Alcohol
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Illicit drugs
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Pre - diagnosis
DKA can occur very quickly within 24 hours!!
Treatment
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Test blood sugar regularly
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Test ketone levels
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Take extra insulin
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Drink plenty of non sugary drinks
If severe symptoms or can not get BM under control call diabetic team.
Do not be afraid to call for help with DKA
You may need help from doctors.
Refernces: The information on this page has been adapted from the following scources.
Diabetes.org.uk. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - Diabetes UK [Internet]. 2015 [cited 11 August 2015]. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Complications/Diabetic_Ketoacidosis/
Nhs.uk. Diabetic ketoacidosis - NHS Choices [Internet]. 2015 [cited 11 August 2015]. Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Diabetes.org.uk. Dealing with illness - Diabetes UK [Internet]. 2015 [cited 12 August 2015]. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Living_with_diabetes/Illness/
WebMD. Diabetes Sick Days [Internet]. 2015 [cited 12 August 2015]. Available from: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/managing-sick-days
Diabetes.co.uk. Diabetic Ketoacidosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of DKA [Internet]. 2015 [cited 11 August 2015]. Available from: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/diabetic-ketoacidosis.html
Diabetes.org.uk. Feeling ill - Diabetes UK [Internet]. 2015 [cited 12 August 2015]. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Kids/Me-and-my-diabetes/Getting-my-glucose-right/Feeling-ill/
American Diabetes Association. Sick Days [Internet]. 2015 [cited 12 August 2015]. Available from: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/parents-and-kids/everyday-life/sick-days.html?referrer=https://www.google.co.uk/
Sick Days...
Being ill is never nice and comes with loads of hassle, however with diabetes it adds another complication.
The body produces sugar to help it fight the illness, but this makes it hard to control your sugar levels.
You also become slightly resistant to insulin.
All of this decreases the amount of sugar the body can use, so it turns to fat for energy.
Breaking down fat produces ketones, and these are poisonous to the body in large amounts.
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Keep taking your insulin
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​If you stop this could result in ketones.
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Do regular BMs (min 2 hours)
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​BMs fluctuate easily so keep a good eye on them.
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Drink lots of sugar free drinks
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​Don't get dehydrated this is very easy especially if you are vomiting and urinating a lot.
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Sick day rules
When to call the doctor
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Whenever you want, they are there to help.
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Can't keep fluids down
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Have severe diarrhoea or vomiting
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Moderate or severe ketones
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Uncontrollable blood glucose
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Regularly check for ketones
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​If these get high we need to act.
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If high eat food so you can treat with insulin.
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This gives your body the sugar it needs instead of burning fat.
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Keep eating
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​If you can't eat, drink sugary drinks.
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Sip them slowly if vomiting.
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