Diabetic ketoacidosis is a condition whereby you have acids, called ketones that build up in your blood supply. It is a condition which signals that your diabetes is no longer under control. Ketones are discovered in your urine when you are not getting enough insulin into your body. These acids are harmful to your body.

If you have Type 2 diabetes, then you would not likely see this happening. However, if you have Type 1 diabetes, then diabetic ketoacidosis may be something to contend with. In some cases, Type 2 diabetics experience a similar condition called hyperosmolar nonketotic coma; however, this is most common in elderly diabetics.

To find out if you have diabetic ketoacidosis, you will need to be able to identify its symptoms. Here are some of them:

• Urinating more often than usual
• Very thirsty all the time
• High levels of blood glucose
• Increased levels of ketones found in the urine

When these symptoms occur, they worsen to cause other health problems as well. The other health problems that develop are:

• Chronic fatigue
• Breathing difficulties
• Skin that is flushed and dry
• Breath with a fruity odor
• Inattentiveness
• Nausea, excessive vomiting, and abdominal pain

To test for the presence of ketones, you need to take a simple urine test using a test strip Your doctor will advise you how often and when you should test your urine for ketones. If you have a cold or the flu, then you should test your urine every four to six hours and when your glucose levels are higher than 240mg/dl. Your doctor can advise you on what level of ketones is considered dangerous.

Some of the reasons why the level of your ketones may be raised include:

• There is not enough insulin in your body. If you do not have enough insulin, you body will start breaking down fat to use as an energy source. This can occur if you do not inject enough insulin or your body is using more than normal due to illness.
• If you miss a meal or are ill and not eating your ketones may become high.
• You are having an insulin reaction. If you have high ketones in the morning this may mean that you had an insulin reaction during the night.
 

You need to learn the warning signs and to check your blood sugar and ketones as directed by your doctor. If you determined that the level of your ketones is high, you need to call your doctor for advice or go to the hospital immediately.

By Khim Lyn Lim

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