What is ketoacidosis?
Ketoacidosis is a condition that occurs when the patient is experiencing a significant decrease in insulin and a concurrent increase in glucose levels, usually above 250 mg/deciliter. Essentially exclusive to diabetics and alcoholics, ketoacidosis-of-white referred to as diabetic acidosis, DKA or simply acidosis-is responsible for approximately 4-9% of hospital visits with diabetic patients. Its onset can be triggered by basic infection, most often urinary tract infections (UTI), missed insulin treatment, trauma, stress and alcoholics, excessive alcohol consumption associated with starved diet.
The human body produces a number of hormones that help in proper digestion and storage of food. Insulation of insulin and glucagons that regulate blood glucose is primarily responsible for ketoacidosis. In a healthy individual, the production of insulin in the pancreas is stimulated in response to increased blood glucose, for example after a meal.Inzulin stimulates the body to convert glucose into glycogen chains and greasyCH acids that can be stored in body fat for later use. On the contrary, in a healthy individual, glucagons production is stimulated in response to blood glucose deficit.
The body responds to the presence of glucagons by promoting fatty acid oxidation. Energy compounds are created through this process. Acetyl COA, a by-product of fatty acid oxidation, is converted into ketone groups (acetoacetate, acetone and beta-hydroxybutyrate), which are a source of energy.
normally the production of ketone will not reach dangerous levels. In diabetics and alcoholics, however, this may continue unregulated due to lack of insulin and excessive amount of glucagons or metabolism of alcohol itself. Due to the acidic nature of ketone groups and glucose overproduction due to excess ketones, ketoacidosis can be highly toxic.
Common symptoms for this condition can be explained by means of a popaa ni pathogenic model. During ketoacidosis, excess glucose in the blood eventually "overflows" into the urine as a metabolic attempt to prevent high glucose concentrations. However, basic salts (potassium, sodium, etc.) and water are removed. This process, along with the subsequent blood concentration, and thus a drop in pH (due to ketones), leads to nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, dehydration, reducing skin turgor, dry skin, reduced sweating and ketonuria (presence of ketones in the urine). If it is not treated, ketoacidosis can also lead to coma and death.
Ketoacidosis is easily prevented if the right measures are taken. The diabetic patient should be careful in insulin treatment and alcohol should only be consumed in adequate quantities. If a diabetic or alcoholic was to experience the symptoms described above, the best approach to treatment should be to replenish liquids with an electrolyte solution such as Gatorade, and look for a hospital or clinic where fluids can be administered intravenously. If the situation requires the use of drugs,The insulin will be used for diabetics and sodium bicarbonate (to normalize pH serum) for alcoholics.