How does dka cause vomiting

DKA can occur extremely rapidly if using an insulin pump — and the pump fails — as you just learned. Please answer a few questions to help us understand how best to serve you. You are not required to answer, but we hope you will.

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From: DTeam Staff. First of all, a big thumbs-up to you for managing this degree of probable DKA in a levelheaded and successful way. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this , but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Privacy Policy. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.

Insulin helps glucose to pass from the bloodstream into body cells, where it is used for energy. Insulin normally is made by the pancreas, but people with type 1 diabetes insulin-dependent diabetes don't produce enough insulin and must inject it daily. To continue reading this article, you must log in. Already a member? Login ». As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

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Don't miss your FREE gift. But it can also happen with other types of diabetes, including type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes diabetes during pregnancy. DKA is a very serious condition. If you have diabetes and think you may have DKA, contact your doctor or go to a hospital right away. The first symptoms to appear are usually:. The main cause of DKA is not enough insulin.

Your cells need sugar for energy. To get energy, your body starts to burn fat. This process causes ketones to build up. Ketones can poison the body. High blood glucose levels can also cause you to urinate often. This leads to a lack of fluids in the body dehydration. DKA can be caused by missing an insulin dose, eating poorly, or feeling stressed.

An infection or other illness such as pneumonia or a urinary tract infection can also lead to DKA. If you have signs of infection fever, cough, or sore throat , contact your doctor. You will want to make sure you are getting the right treatment. For some people, DKA may be the first sign they have diabetes. If you think you may have diabetic ketoacidosis, contact your doctor right away. He or she will want to run some blood tests before giving you an official diagnosis.

These tests include checking your blood sugar and ketone level. Your doctor also may order a urinalysis and chest X-ray. If you have diabetes, there are some things you can do to watch for diabetic ketoacidosis.

Ask your doctor what your critical blood sugar level is. Most patients should watch their glucose levels closely when they are more than mg per dL. If your blood sugar reaches a critical level, check it every 1 to 2 hours. Without enough insulin, your body can't use sugar properly for energy.

This prompts the release of hormones that break down fat as fuel, which produces acids known as ketones. Excess ketones build up in the blood and eventually "spill over" into the urine.

Uncommonly, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur if you have type 2 diabetes. In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis may be the first sign that you have diabetes. Diabetic ketoacidosis is treated with fluids, electrolytes — such as sodium, potassium and chloride — and insulin.

Perhaps surprisingly, the most common complications of diabetic ketoacidosis are related to this lifesaving treatment. Left untreated, the risks of diabetic ketoacidosis are much greater. Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to loss of consciousness and, eventually, death. Diabetes complications are scary. But don't let fear keep you from taking good care of yourself.