Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis
Symptoms of diabetic acidosis can appear fast and they are;
- Severe thirst
- Dry mouth and skin
- Fatigue [2]
- Confusion and irritability
- Nausea [3] or vomiting
- High blood sugar levels
- Excess ketones in the urine
- A flushed face
- Fruity-smelling breath. This is a tell-tale sign of diabetes ketoacidosis. It is caused by the degrading of ketones, which turn to acetones (like nail polish remover). These acetones are then excreted through breathing.
- Rapid or heavy breathing. Rapid breathing is the body’s way of trying to increase the PH that has gotten too low. In most cases, you are breathing rapidly without knowing.
- Frequent urination
- Dry mouth and skin
- Abdominal pain
- Blurred vision [4]
- Excessive thirst
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency. It should be treated immediately by a doctor. If left unattended to, diabetic ketoacidosis can cause coma or death. It is important to discuss the risk of DKA with your doctor and have an alternative in place if you use insulin. People with type 1 diabetes should have a supply of home urine ketone tests. These tests can be purchased in drug store or online.
If you have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and have a blood sugar level of over 250 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) twice, you should check your urines for ketones. People can also check if they are sick or planning on working out and their blood sugar is 250 mg/dl or larger.
If symptoms are not obvious or serious enough to be certain, home testing kits for urine can detect whether you have high ketone levels in your body. Blood sticks can also be used to check glucose levels.
The three P’s of DKA:
- Polydipsia- thirst
- Polyuria- urination
- Polyphagia-appetite
These common symptoms are known as the “three P’s” of diabetic ketoacidosis. When you experience sudden bursts of excessive thirst, urination, and appetite, you could be suffering from DKA.