Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

DKA is a medical acronym for diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication that can develop when a person with diabetes has too little insulin available for his body's needs. If DKA isn't treated, it can be fatal.

Pathophysiology

• When someone with diabetes doesn't have enough insulin for her body to use glucose as a source of fuel, her body burns fat instead. When fat is used for fuel, byproducts known as ketones accumulate in her body.

Effects

• Ketone levels in the blood and urine rise, causing a condition of acid-base imbalance known as diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA.

Early Symptoms

• During the early stages of DKA, the individual may be very thirsty and urinate frequently. He may have a headache, feel tired, lose his appetite, be fatigued, and experience abdominal pain or shortness of breath.

Warning Signs

• As DKA progresses, the person will develop serious warning signs that may include a flushed face, breathing that's deep and rapid, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, dry skin and mouth, and a fruity odor to his breath. It's important to seek immediate medical attention for these symptoms.

Considerations

• If DKA is not treated promptly and effectively with insulin and fluids, the person may develop kidney failure, have a heart attack because of low blood pressure, or experience a build-up of fluid within the brain known as cerebral edema that can be fatal.