Diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered a public health problem whose incidence continues to grow worldwide. In Mexico there are more than four million people with this condition, and just over a million who have not yet been diagnosed.

 

According to the Journal of the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), diabetic patients may have metabolic complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is associated with a precipitating factor, or with treatment or inappropriate orientation.

 

Precipitating factors include silent infarction , stroke, mesenteric ischemia , acute pancreatitis , use of steroids , thiazide-type diuretics, calcium channel blockers, propranolol, and phenytoin.

 

The pathophysiology of DKA includes altered metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, as a result of an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin, accompanied by an excess of counterregulatory hormones .

Some specialists point out that as fats break down, acids called ketones build up in the blood and urine. At high levels, ketones are toxic, which is why this condition is called ketoacidosis .

 

The symptoms that are generated by this disease are:

1. fast breathing
2. Dry mouth and skin
3. facial redness
4. fruity breath
5. Sickness
6. Threw up
7. Stomach ache

For its treatment, the level of glucose in the blood must be lowered, with the help of insulin .