DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS

You should keep an eye out for signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis if you are taking insulin to control your diabetes,

Early signs and symptoms can include:

• passing large amounts of urine 
• feeling very thirsty
• feeling sick 
• abdominal (tummy) pain
• tiredness
• shortness of breath
• an increase in your blood sugar and/or ketone levels – self-testing kits are available to check these

If the condition isn’t treated quickly. The following symptoms may appear.

• dehydration
• vomiting
• increased breathing and heart rate
• dizziness or drowsiness
• a smell of pear drops or nail varnish on your breath
• loss of consciousness.

DIAGNOSIS

Contact your diabetes care team or GP for advice immediately if you think that you or your child are experiencing early symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, and self-testing shows you have a high blood glucose and/or ketone level.

TREATMENT

In most cases, people with diabetic ketoacidosis need to be treated in hospital.

While in hospital, you’ll usually receive a combination of:

• fluids pumped directly into a vein to rehydrate your body 
• insulin (usually pumped into a vein)  
• replacement of minerals you may have lost, such as potassium

You’ll be closely monitored to check how well you’re responding to treatment.

As long as there are no further problems, you should be able to leave hospital when you’re well enough to eat and drink normally and tests show a safe level of ketones in your body.

Before being discharged from hospital, a diabetes nurse will talk to you about why you developed diabetic ketoacidosis and help you come up with a plan to prevent future episodes.