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
Unusual Breathing Patterns
Along with an unusual smell, the way someone breathes can be a sign of a DKA episode. The breathing pattern may seem labored, deep and rapid, as if someone's panting. Known as Kussmaul breathing, this is another way the body tries to expel toxic acid gases and restore acid-base balance in the blood.3Gallo 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
People with DKA may be exhausted or move very little, so this breathing pattern can seem unusually heavy. The affected person may be unaware they're even doing it.
Advertisement
