{"id":49913,"date":"2019-10-30T15:30:11","date_gmt":"2019-10-30T22:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=49913"},"modified":"2021-11-03T02:06:16","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T09:06:16","slug":"ketoacidosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/ketoacidosis\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Ketoacidosis? + Causes, Signs &#038; Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Characterized by high glucose, ketone, and acid levels in the blood, <strong>ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition<\/strong> that mainly occurs as a complication of poorly managed diabetes. Keep reading to learn more about this condition, its effects on the body, and how it is diagnosed.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_Is_Ketoacidosis\"><a id=\"post-49913-_ex9jcept3seu\"><\/a><strong>What Is Ketoacidosis?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Ketoacidosis is a medical condition that is mainly characterized by the 3 following abnormalities [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/14693938\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High blood concentration of <strong>glucose<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>High blood and urine concentration of<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/ketone-bodies\/\"> <strong>ketone bodies<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li>High blood <strong>acid <\/strong>levels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The most common type of ketoacidosis occurs as a complication of diabetes. In diabetic<strong> ketoacidosis<\/strong>, the low level of insulin and the excess of its opposing hormones cause <strong>the buildup of glucose in the blood and the breakdown of fatty molecules into ketone bodies <\/strong>in the liver [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/6775996\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Death rates from ketoacidosis in adults are below 1% in developed countries, but developing countries have higher rates (e.g., 30% in Kenya) [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/26975543\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16619732\"> R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>In a study on 275 children under 5 years old with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, 28% had ketoacidosis. This condition is the leading cause of death among children with type 1 diabetes [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/19708904\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/17727382\"> R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Although diabetic ketoacidosis is more common in people with type 1 diabetes, it can also occur in those with <strong>type 2 diabetes<\/strong>. Its frequency is higher in those of African, African-American, or Hispanic origin [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16520476\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Other types of ketoacidosis include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Starvation ketoacidosis<\/strong>: caused by prolonged<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/intermittent-fasting\/\"> fasting<\/a> periods [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/6758355\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li><strong>Alcoholic ketoacidosis<\/strong>: caused by long-term alcohol abuse [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16714496\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li><strong>Salicylate ketoacidosis<\/strong>: caused by intoxication with salicylate (found in painkillers) [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/666481\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inborn ketoacidosis<\/strong>: caused by genetic mutations in proteins used for ketone body production and breakdown [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25559898\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lactation ketoacidosis<\/strong>: May spontaneously appear in breastfeeding women [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/6683736\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"sh-summary\"><div class=\"sh-summary-content\">Ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition characterized by high blood sugar, high blood and urine concentration of ketones, and high blood acidity. It is most commonly caused by diabetes.<\/div><\/div>\n<h3><span id=\"Ketoacidosis_vs_Nutritional_Ketosis\"><a id=\"post-49913-_d41db7e3ar0k\"><\/a>Ketoacidosis vs. Nutritional Ketosis<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Nutritional ketosis <\/strong>is the physical state when <strong>the body uses fat instead of carbohydrates<\/strong> for energy production as a result of fasting or a<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/ketogenic-diet-ketosis-health-benefits-physiology-genetics\/\"> ketogenic diet<\/a> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/14769489\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ketogenic diets <\/strong>are defined by <strong>low carbohydrate <\/strong>(typically below 50 g\/day) and <strong>high fat <\/strong>intake and lead to the increased production of ketone bodies and fatty acids [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/14769489\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that eating a ketogenic diet or fasting for a controlled time period <strong>will lead to<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/ketogenic-diet-ketosis-health-benefits-physiology-genetics\/\"> <strong>ketosis<\/strong><\/a><strong> but not to<\/strong> <strong>ketoacidosis<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blood <strong>glucose levels remain normal <\/strong>during ketosis because the liver starts producing this sugar from other sources like lactate, pyruvate, and amino acids after the carbohydrate stores have been exhausted [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25579853\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li>Because ketone bodies can inhibit their own production, blood <strong>ketone levels<\/strong> never exceed 8 mmol\/l, which is a <strong>safe value <\/strong>during nutritional ketosis [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/15929991\/\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16848698\"> R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li>As opposed to the ketone concentrations reached during ketoacidosis (approximately 20 mmol\/l), those of nutritional ketosis <strong>do not cause blood acidification<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16848698\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Nevertheless, other strategies such as doing more exercise or reducing your calorie intake are safer and more effective to lose weight. Always discuss with your doctor if the ketogenic diet is recommended in your case.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sh-summary\"><div class=\"sh-summary-content\">Ketone bodies in the blood are not always dangerous. The ketogenic diet deliberately produces a state of nutritional ketosis so that the body burns fat instead of glucose for energy.<\/div><\/div>\n<h3><span id=\"Negative_Impacts_of_Ketoacidosis\"><a id=\"post-49913-_fyjffzf8s1zu\"><\/a>Negative Impacts of Ketoacidosis<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The consequences for children can be serious. In juvenile cases, 1 to 2% of children with diabetic ketoacidosis suffer from dangerous <strong>fluid buildup in the brain<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In a study of 8 children and adolescents, those with diabetic ketoacidosis performed <strong>worse <\/strong>in some types of <strong>intelligence tests <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/26831554\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>Children with sudden brain damage caused by diabetic ketoacidosis all suffered from <strong>brain stroke<\/strong> in a small study on 5 children [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/8777328\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>A 5-year-old child with diabetic ketoacidosis developed <strong>thrombosis <\/strong>in the brain [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11861244\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>In 2 studies on children and adolescents with severe diabetic ketoacidosis, all of them had signs of <strong>fluid buildup in the lungs<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/9877465\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/9448236\"> R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to serious complications in adults too:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Approximately 20% of people with severe ketoacidosis are admitted in a<strong> coma <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/14693938\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>Ketoacidosis can also cause irritation of the protective layers of the brain (<strong>meningeal<\/strong> <strong>syndrome<\/strong>) [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/10333968\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>A 50-year-old patient with recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis episodes lost vision in one eye due to <strong>nerve damage <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/10872541\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>On very rare occasions, diabetic ketoacidosis can cause the obstructive buildup of fluid in the brain (<strong>hydrocephalus<\/strong>) [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/9092859\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>Ketoacidosis increases the risk of developing <strong>thrombosis<\/strong> since it causes dehydration, reduced blood vessel volume, heart problems, and increased blood thickness [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/7808094\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/6795075\"> R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Diabetic ketoacidosis can damage the muscles, kidneys, stomach, and other vital organs.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Several case studies described the rapid breakdown of damaged muscles (<strong>rhabdomyolysis<\/strong>) in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. In some cases, it was accompanied by a severe reaction that causes fever, muscle stiffness, and fast heart rate (<strong>malignant hyperthermia<\/strong>) [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/6782859\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/12777570\"> R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/8880251\"> R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>In a study on almost 300 people with diabetic ketoacidosis, 26 had <strong>bleeding <\/strong>in the <strong>stomach <\/strong>and upper <strong>bowels <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/8565740\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>Severe diabetic ketoacidosis can cause <strong>kidney failure <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/8518532\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25338064\"> R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<li>In a study of 21 people with severe diabetic ketoacidosis, most non-survivors had developed <strong>multiple organ failure <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/10483673\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"sh-summary\"><div class=\"sh-summary-content\">Ketoacidosis is an extremely dangerous condition. Among the possible outcomes is fluid in the brain and lungs, nerve damage, bleeding in the gut, multiple organ failure, coma, and death.<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Causes\"><a id=\"post-49913-_e0kw3gdmn1mp\"><\/a><strong>Causes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The 3 main factors that cause ketoacidosis are [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11194218\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Infections, such as <strong>pneumonia <\/strong>and <strong>urinary tract infections <\/strong>(30 to 50% of cases)<\/li>\n<li>Inadequate treatment of diabetes (20 to 40%)<\/li>\n<li>Undiagnosed diabetes (20 to 30%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additional, less frequent causes include [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/17465091\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stroke<\/li>\n<li>Heart attack<\/li>\n<li>Blockage of lung vessels<\/li>\n<li>Pancreatic inflammation<\/li>\n<li>Bowel obstruction<\/li>\n<li>Kidney failure<\/li>\n<li>Alcohol abuse<\/li>\n<li>Severe burns<\/li>\n<li>Use of certain medications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In 2 to 10% of cases, no cause can be identified [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11219236\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Mechanism_of_Ketoacidosis\"><a id=\"post-49913-_ybs4fezi8sqg\"><\/a><strong>Mechanism of Ketoacidosis<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Diabetics have low blood insulin levels, while certain neurotransmitters (catecholamines) and the following insulin-opposing hormones are found at high concentrations [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/26975543\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/glucagon-levels\/\">Glucagon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/need-know-cortisol-health-effects\/\">Cortisol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/growth-hormone-101\/\">Growth hormone<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In normal conditions, insulin prevents sugar production and fat breakdown. An imbalance between insulin and its opposing hormones triggers the mechanisms of <strong>diabetic ketoacidosis <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/12668546\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"1_Glucose_Buildup\"><a id=\"post-49913-_tvumsgxb9c3r\"><\/a><strong>1) Glucose Buildup<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Low blood insulin levels<\/strong>, as well as the high concentration of glucagon, cortisol, and neurotransmitters (catecholamines), activate 2 types of sugar (glucose) production pathways [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11149157\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Breakdown of sugar stores in the liver (<strong>glycogenolysis<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>Production of sugar from non-sugar compounds (<strong>gluconeogenesis<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Increased cortisol causes more protein breakdown. The resulting amino acids (especially<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/15-proven-health-benefits-glutamine\/\"> <strong>glutamine<\/strong><\/a> and<strong> alanine<\/strong>) are <strong>important for sugar production <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/3048115\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Breakdown of sugar stores releases<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/the-brains-secret-backup-generator\/\"> <strong>lactate<\/strong><\/a> as a byproduct, which is used to make glucose [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/17465603\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>In these conditions, fats are broken down into glycerol, which also makes glucose. Glucose transport into tissues is reduced, leading to <strong>glucose buildup in the blood<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/10690893\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/6775996\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<div class=\"sh-summary\"><div class=\"sh-summary-content\">Low blood insulin and high glucagon, cortisol, and catecholamines activate multiple glucose production pathways, resulting in a dangerous buildup of glucose in the blood.<\/div><\/div>\n<h3><span id=\"2_Ketone_Buildup_and_Acidosis\"><a id=\"post-49913-_blk128vdaepo\"><\/a><strong>2) Ketone Buildup and Acidosis<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A combination of low blood insulin levels and high concentrations of opposing hormones <strong>breaks down existing fatty molecules and prevents the storage of new fats<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/3016131\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/26975543\"> R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>The resulting fatty acids build up in the liver, where they are transformed into the following <strong>ketone bodies<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/12668546\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u03b2-hydroxybutyrate<\/li>\n<li>Acetoacetate<\/li>\n<li>Acetone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Ketone bodies raise blood acid levels<\/strong> and exhaust the molecules (e.g., bicarbonate) used to neutralize them, making the condition worse [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/6815530\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Tissues cannot absorb too many ketone bodies, so eventually, these will begin to<strong> build up in the blood. <\/strong>They are found in the form of negatively charged ions (anions) and <strong>increase the<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/anion-gap\/\"> <strong>anion gap<\/strong><\/a> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/2656155\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, the <strong>lactate <\/strong>produced by sugar store breakdown also contributes to <strong>blood acidosis <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/17465603\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<div class=\"sh-summary\"><div class=\"sh-summary-content\">Low blood insulin and high glucagon promotes the breakdown of fatty molecules into ketone bodies. These gradually raise the acidity of the blood, eventually causing acidosis.<\/div><\/div>\n<aside class=\"sh-partner shp-form sponsored sh-et-7388fa\">\n  <div>\n          <div class=\"partner-heading\">8 Ways To Use Your DNA &amp; Optimize Your Health<\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"partner-content\">\n      <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What kinds of secrets could your genes hold? Read this guide and find out how you can take your health into your own hands and find the root cause of your issues through gene-based health.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"subscribe-form-container\">\n      <form method=\"POST\" action=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49913\" class=\"sh-subscribe-form\">\n        <input type=\"email\" name=\"subscribe_form_data[email]\"\n            pattern=\"^[a-zA-Z0-9.!#$%&\u2019*+\/=?^_`{|}~-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9-]+(?:\\.[a-zA-Z0-9-]+)*$\" required\n            placeholder=\"Enter your email\">\n                  <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"subscribe_form_data[tags][]\" value=\"SH Optin: PartnerAd Your DNA Your Health\">\n                  <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"subscribe_form_data[tags][]\" value=\"SH Optin: Your DNA Your Health Guide\">\n                  <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"subscribe_form_data[tags][]\" value=\"PartnerAd\">\n                <button type=\"submit\" class=\"btn btn-primary subscribe-submit\">Optimize My Health<\/button>\n      <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n          <style>aside.sponsored.sh-et-7388fa::before{content:\"Advertisement\"}<\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<h3><span id=\"3_Water_and_Electrolyte_Imbalance\"><a id=\"post-49913-_lh7tngac0vvq\"><\/a><strong>3) Water and Electrolyte Imbalance<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>High glucose levels in bodily fluids cause the movement of water and ions (electrolytes) out of cells [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/12668546\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>The kidney cannot absorb too much glucose, which is found in the urine when concentrations get too high. <strong>This causes more frequent urination<\/strong>, which can lead to a deficiency in water and the following electrolytes [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25325058\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sodium<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/potassium\/\">Potassium<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Phosphate<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/21-proven-science-based-reasons-magnesium-amazing-including-drawbacks\/\">Magnesium<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/calcium-101\/\">Calcium<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"4_Other_Types_of_Ketoacidosis\"><a id=\"post-49913-_7amoueb9wria\"><\/a><strong>4) Other Types of Ketoacidosis<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In <strong>starvation ketoacidosis<\/strong>, prolonged fasting [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/6758355\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exhausts sugar stores in the liver<\/li>\n<li>Decreases insulin levels<\/li>\n<li>Increases the levels of insulin-opposing hormones<\/li>\n<li>Increases the use of ketone bodies for energy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In <strong>alcoholic ketoacidosis<\/strong>, long-term alcohol abuse is normally accompanied by malnutrition. The exhaustion of sugar and protein stores increases ketone bodies [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16714496\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Alcohol breakdown consumes a molecule (the coenzyme <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/nad-important-increase\/\">NAD+<\/a>) that is also required for the production of glucose [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/4301254\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p><strong>Salicylate intoxication <\/strong>can cause acidosis by [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22998993\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stimulating lactate production (which is used to produce sugar)<\/li>\n<li>Increasing fatty acid breakdown and decreasing blood sugar levels (which causes the build-up of ketone bodies)<\/li>\n<li>Increasing blood acid levels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Inborn ketoacidosis <\/strong>is caused by genetic defects in enzymes involved in the production and breakdown of ketone bodies [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22998993\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Since milk production requires high sugar consumption rates, <strong>lactation ketoacidosis <\/strong>can occur in breastfeeding women [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/6683736\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22605608\"> R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/26909776\"> R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<div class=\"sh-summary\"><div class=\"sh-summary-content\">Starvation, alcohol abuse, salicylate toxicity, genetic defects, and breastfeeding can also cause the depletion of sugar stores and drop in insulin required to result in ketoacidosis.<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Symptoms_of_Ketoacidosis\"><a id=\"post-49913-_nfextfbvdx87\"><\/a><strong>Symptoms of Ketoacidosis<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The main symptoms of ketoacidosis include [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16702793\">R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/17465091\"> R<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/12668546\"> R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dehydration and excessive thirst<\/li>\n<li>Excessive urine production<\/li>\n<li>Excessive appetite<\/li>\n<li>Weakness<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/a-comprehensive-list-of-effective-ways-to-lose-weight\/\">Weight loss<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Nausea and vomiting, \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/coffee-may-cause-inflammation\/\">coffee<\/a>-ground\u2019 vomiting<\/li>\n<li>Stomach<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/23-ways-to-combat-pain-naturally-by-increasing-your-opioids\/\"> pain<\/a>, upper bowel, and stomach bleeding<\/li>\n<li>Nail polish- or fruity-smelling breath<\/li>\n<li>Rapid and deep breathing<\/li>\n<li>Dry mucosae and rougher skin<\/li>\n<li>High<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/resting-heart-rate\/\"> heart rate<\/a> and low blood pressure<\/li>\n<li>Normal to low body temperature<\/li>\n<li>Sleepiness, confusion, or coma<\/li>\n<li>Blurred vision<\/li>\n<li>Leg cramps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ketoacidosis is a serious condition that may be life-threatening if untreated. If you have several of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention so that your doctor can effectively diagnose and treat it.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Diagnosis\"><a id=\"post-49913-_gr2gkilqvwpw\"><\/a>Diagnosis<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If emergency nurses detect several of the symptoms listed in the previous section, they must conduct quick bedside testing for blood glucose and blood or urine ketones [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23243777\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>blood chemistry <\/strong>is analyzed to determine [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/17465091\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Glucose concentration<\/li>\n<li>Ketone concentration<\/li>\n<li>Blood osmolality (electrolyte-water balance)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/c-reactive-protein\/\">C-reactive protein<\/a> count to detect inflammation<\/li>\n<li>Troponin T concentration to detect heart failure<\/li>\n<li>Full blood count<\/li>\n<li>Coagulation profile to confirm normal blood clotting function<\/li>\n<li>Kidney and liver function<\/li>\n<li>Toxicology screen for harmful chemicals (e.g., salicylate)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additionally, <strong>urine tests <\/strong>must be performed to analyze [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/17465091\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ketone concentration<\/li>\n<li>Nitrite presence to detect infections<\/li>\n<li>Presence of a specific hormone (\u03b2-<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/hcg\/\">human chorionic gonadotropin<\/a>) to detect pregnancy<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/how-to-increase-and-decrease-white-blood-cells\/\">White blood cell<\/a> levels to detect infections,<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/63-factors-raising-stress-cortisol-level-backed-science\/\"> stress<\/a>, and dehydration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The subsequent <strong>laboratory evaluation <\/strong>must include [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/12668546\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blood gases to assess blood acidosis<\/li>\n<li>Chest X-ray to detect infections and breathing complications<\/li>\n<li>Electrocardiogram to identify signs of heart disease, especially in patients with ion imbalance<\/li>\n<li>Bacterial samples of blood, urine, and sputum to identify infectious organisms and test for the presence of ketone bodies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Diabetic ketoacidosis is <strong>diagnosed <\/strong>in the presence of [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25061324\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>High urine ketone <\/strong>concentration (above 3 mmol\/l)<\/li>\n<li><strong>High blood glucose <\/strong>concentration (above 250 mg\/dl) or presence of <strong>type 1 diabetes<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Low blood bicarbonate <\/strong>concentration (below 18 mmol\/l) or <strong>high acidosis <\/strong>(pH below 7.3) in the veins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additionally, the following conditions <strong>confirm <\/strong>the diagnosis [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23243777\">R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Low sodium levels (below 149 mmol\/l)<\/li>\n<li>High blood<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/creatinine\/\"> creatinine<\/a> concentration (above 0.12 mmol\/l)<\/li>\n<li>High blood osmolality (above 320 mmol\/kg)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"sh-summary\"><div class=\"sh-summary-content\">If a patient presents multiple signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis, an emergency nurse or doctor will run blood and urine tests to detect low blood sugar, ketone bodies, and acidity.<\/div><\/div>\n<h4><a id=\"post-49913-_n9c9xhfzi0ei\"><\/a>Professional Evaluation of Results<\/h4>\n<p>Lab results are commonly shown as a set of values known as a \u201creference range\u201d, which is sometimes referred to as a \u201cnormal range\u201d. A reference range includes the upper and lower limits of a lab test based on a group of otherwise healthy people.<\/p>\n<p>Your healthcare provider will compare your lab test results with reference values to see if your chloride results fall outside the range of expected values. By doing so, you and your healthcare provider can gain clues to help identify possible conditions or diseases.<\/p>\n<p>Remember that some lab-to-lab variability occurs due to differences in equipment, techniques, and chemicals used. Don&#8217;t panic if your result is slightly out of range &#8211; as long as it&#8217;s in the normal range based on the laboratory that did the testing, your value is normal.<\/p>\n<p>However, it&#8217;s important to remember that a normal test doesn&#8217;t mean a particular medical condition is absent. Your doctor will interpret your results in conjunction with your medical history and other test results.<\/p>\n<p>And remember that a single test isn&#8217;t enough to make a diagnosis. Your doctor will interpret this test, taking into account your medical history and other tests. A result that is slightly low\/high may not be of medical significance, as this test often varies from day to day and from person to person.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Further_Reading\"><a id=\"post-49913-_284kib6vjfwk\"><\/a>Further Reading<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/ketoacidosis-treatment\/\">Ketoacidosis: Treatment, Prevention &amp; Complications<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"sh-summary\"><div class=\"sh-summary-content\"><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Takeaway\"><a id=\"post-49913-_p5rcj3jnmh70\"><\/a>Takeaway<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ketoacidosis is a dangerous condition characterized by high blood sugar, ketone bodies in the blood and urine, and high blood acidity. It is most often caused by diabetes, though infections, alcohol abuse, starvation, salicylate toxicity, or lactation can also cause the condition.<\/p>\n<p>Ketoacidosis develops when insulin is low, either because sugar stores are depleted or (in the case of diabetic ketoacidosis) when insulin cannot be produced in sufficient quantities. These conditions produce a cascade of events that lead to the buildup of ketone bodies and acidification of the blood.<\/p>\n<p>If an emergency nurse identifies the symptoms of ketoacidosis in a patient, they will conduct a number of blood and urine tests to check blood sugar, ketone levels, and blood acidity. If you suspect that you are developing or have developed ketoacidosis, seek medical attention immediately.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Characterized by high glucose, ketone, and acid levels in the blood, <strong>ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition<\/strong> that mainly occurs as a complication of poorly managed diabetes. Keep reading to learn more about this condition, its effects on the body, and how it is diagnosed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14687,"featured_media":49920,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[274,349],"tags":[279],"yst_prominent_words":[1218,33192,32379,33194,33196,33190,14451,33187,1469,33197,14453,6726,6724,33195,33189,33188,511,515,33193,1765],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49913"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14687"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49913"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94571,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49913\/revisions\/94571"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49913"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=49913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}