10 Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Symptoms
Article Sources
- 1. 'Type 1 Diabetes.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 27 Mar. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353011
- 2. 'DKA (Ketoacidosis) & Ketones.' DKA (Ketoacidosis) & Ketones | ADA, [www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/dka-ketoacidosis-ketones.](http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/dka-ketoacidosis-ketones.)
- 3. Gallo de Moraes, Alice, and Salim Surani. 'Effects of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in the Respiratory System.' World Journal of Diabetes, Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 15 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6347653
Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, is a serious and potentially fatal complication of diabetes. It occurs mainly in those who have type 1 diabetes, although in rare cases it can strike people with type 2. DKA happens when a lack of insulin leaves diabetics unable to use glucose as energy, and the body uses fat instead. As fat is broken down for fuel, toxic acid builds up in the blood and causes symptoms, including confusion, weakness and breath that smells fruity.
Because ketoacidosis can cause a person to become confused and eventually unconscious, it's an emergency that requires urgent medical care.
