Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes. It occurs when your body doesn't have enough insulin to allow blood sugar (glucose) into your cells for energy. Without glucose, your body starts breaking down fat for fuel. This process produces acidic byproducts called ketones. When ketones build up in your blood to dangerous levels, they make your blood acidic (ketoacidosis) and cause your blood sugar to rise significantly (hyperglycemia). DKA most commonly affects people with type 1 diabetes, but it can also occur in people with type 2 diabetes under certain circumstances. Common triggers include missing insulin doses, being newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, or experiencing an illness or infection (like the flu or pneumonia) which increases the body's need for insulin. Other causes can include physical or emotional stress, certain medications, or problems with an insulin pump. Because DKA is a medical emergency, lab tests are crucial for diagnosis and guiding treatment. Your doctor will use tests like blood glucose, blood ketone levels, blood pH, and electrolyte levels to confirm DKA, assess its severity, and monitor your response to treatment. These results help ensure you receive the appropriate care, which typically involves insulin, intravenous fluids, and electrolyte replacement, to bring your body back into balance.