Diabetic Acidosis: Causes And Symptoms

February 19th, 2010 | Under: Articles, Diabetes »

Diabetic acidosis is a severe complication that is generally attributed to diabetes mellitus. Actually the prevalence of these complications posing threat to human life is more in people with diabetes type 1, though generally individuals suffering from diabetes type 2 can have this condition too.

As it is known, diabetes type 1 is normally characterized by insufficient insulin production. Insulin represents the hormone needed for the body tissues and cells so that to absorb glucose from blood. On the other side,diabetes of type 2 is the disorder that is caused by insulin resistance which is inability of the cells of the body to use insulin in a proper way.

Diabetic acidosis is the result of insufficiency or lack of insulin. And without insulin the cells are not able to absorb and utilize glucose to produce energy. Thus the body uses fats to produce energy and it also generates ketones in this process. Then ketones enter the blood and make toxicity in your body that is called diabetic ketoacidosis. Actually it is distinguished from other ketoacidosis types by abnormally elevated blood sugar levels.

Diabetic acidosis causes

As it has already been mentioned in the article, diabetic acidosis is actually a complication of diabetes that was badly controlled. This may be a sign of diabetes that is not diagnosed or wrongly diagnosed. There are normally some emphasizing conditions playing an important role in diabetic ketoacidosis development. These conditions include some disorders and infections such as influenza, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, the urinary tract infections; insufficient amount of insulin. An incorrect diet and eating disorders, such factors as a stroke, a heart attack as well as pregnancy may trigger diabetic acidosis development.
the symptoms of diabetic acidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis generally provokes a really great elevation of blood sugar levels. Thereby diabetic acidosis signs greatly resemble general signs of elevated blood sugar. Though, as for the seriousness of the signs, diabetic acidosis symptoms are actually more serious than the symptoms of high blood sugar. The most common signs seen in people with diabetic ketoacidosis are the following:

  • Increased urination and thirst
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Deep, rapid breathing
  • Dry, flushed skin
  • Dry mouth
  • An acetone like breath smell
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain in muscles
  • Loss of appetite and abdominal pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Confusion
  • Diabetic coma
  • Drug Cloud
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