Keetoacidosis And Its Effects On Diabetes

Diabetic ketoacidosis also called DKA is a very serious and life threating complication of diabetes in which the body produces excessive blood acids called ketones. This condition occurs when there is not enough insulin in the body which prevents the transport of glucose into the cells for energy. When this happens the glucose then stays in the blood stream instead of entering the cells. The body must have glucose to make energy and every cell in the body needs energy to carry out its most basic tasks, therefore the body begins to breakdown fat and muscle to get its energy source. This causing the production of ketones which stay in the blood stream altering the body’s natural chemical balance sending it into acidosis.

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According to Porth (2015), ketoacidosis represents an insulin deficiency in multiple sites of the body.

When there is an insufficient amount of insulin, the body begins to rapidly breakdown proteins and lipids to reach the energy stored within. This causes a significant increase of amino acids and fatty acids being sent to the liver to be filtered and converted into glucose and ketones. Without insulin, however the body is unable to transport glucose into the cells. The glucoses sit in blood stream which is the reason for the elevated blood glucose levels. The cells still need glucose for energy so the body continues to break down proteins and fats which rises the levels of ketones being produced. Ketones are blood acids and having the excessive number of ketones being produced the body’s natural homeostasis and chemical balance are shifted and throwing the body into metabolic acidosis in this case called diabetic

ketoacidosis.
A normal blood sugar level for a healthy adult varies between 70 and 100mg/ dL. When a person enters diabetic ketoacidosis the blood sugar sky rockets in response to the excess glucose sitting in the blood stream instead of entering the cells. According to Hinkel and Cheever (2014), blood glucose levels can be anywhere from 300 to 1,000 mg/dL or higher depending on the severity and level of dehydration.
Dehydration is a complication from the body trying to compensate for the excess glucose in the blood. The kidneys are attempting to rid the body of the glucose build up by excreting it out through the urine but while doing this your body losses water and other electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, and chloride. This excessive urination or polyuria is known as osmotic diuresis which is a common symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis. Dehydration may also cause changes in levels of creatinine, and BUN to be elevated. Potassium may be low due to dehydration or may be elevated because of the acidosis causing changes in the cellular sodium potassium pump (Hinkel and Cheever 2014). Rehydration is the primary treatment for the electrolyte and fluid disturbances. Rehydration will increase plasma volume and bring blood pressure back up along with decreasing serum potassium concentration. Rehydration can also help lower potassium levels by aiding in the excretion through urination. Insulin may be added to the treatment to assist the potassium back into the cells and prevent dysrhythmias from