what is ketoacidosis? What causes it?

Question

does it happen only when your blood sugars get too high? How can I avoid it?

Answer 1

It occurs when a diabetic person's blood sugar gets very high-generally over 350-400. It is a medical emergency. You can avoid it by frequent testing of your blood sugar & treating your blood sugar appropriately.

Answer 2

Sugarbaby was right on track!! Ketoacidosis is caused in diabetics by a high blood sugar reading over a period of time. The sugar level and time are different for different people. I check my blood sugar about 10 times per day because I am a severly brittle diabetic. Some people can get away with checking it a few times each day but should check it at least twice each day at changing times to be sure. Ketoacidosis is when the keytones build up in the blood as a result in raised sugar there. This causes an acidotic stae to exist in the blood and the liver is callexd into action to convert fats into sugars. The diabetic then has an additional raise in blood sugar which is not what he/she needs and the process is almost unstoppable at that point. He/she eventually becomes comatose.
The diabetic should continually check and react to blood sugar levels as prescribed by their medical professional.
Thanks,
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Answer 3

Ketoacidosis is a condition in which chemicals called ketones build up in the blood. These chemicals are produced when the body tissues are unable to take up glucose from the blood, due to inadequate production of insulin, and have to use fats for insulin.


The symptoms of ketoacidosis is:

-nausea and vomiting, sometimes with abdominable pain
-deep breathing
-acetone smell to the breath (like fingernail polish remover)
-confusion


The developement of these symptoms is a medical emergency because they can lead to severe dehydration and coma if not treated urgently.


You can avoid it by taking your insulin injections or medications as scheduled, and eating right and exercising.