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Symptoms of Diabetic Acidosis

Diabetic acidosis, more commonly referred to as diabetic ketoacidosis, is a condition where the body doesn't have enough insulin to properly transfer glucose into the cells. When this happens, a person's blood sugar inevitably rises. Yet, another process also takes place. Since the body is unable to get energy from the glucose, it begins to use fat for nourishment. This creates a toxicity in the body in the form of ketones, hence the name diabetic ketoacidosis. Once someone experiences this complication, he will eventually suffer from symptoms of the condition.

  1. Changes in Thirst and Urination

    • When someone is suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, he will begin to experience changes in both his thirst and urine production. The two symptoms really go hand-in-hand, since the body will try to rid the system of this excess glucose and ketones through increasing urination. This will cause a certain level of dehydration, prompting an increase in thirst.

    Nausea & Vomiting

    • Due to the toxicity and elevation in blood sugar from diabetic ketoacidosis, a person can also suffer from the symptom of nausea. This nausea may be so bad that it may prompt episodes of vomiting.

    Loss of Appetite

    • Another common symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis, usually accompanied by other symptoms, is a loss of appetite. This is generally due to the nausea that a person is feeling, but may also be simply from the elevated blood sugar or toxicity.

    Fatigue

    • Since the body isn't getting the nourishment it needs from the lack of insulin transporting sugar into the cells, a person suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis would also feel some level of fatigue or weakness.

    Respiratory Problems

    • Sometimes, a person suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis will encounter problems with his respiration, manifesting as a shortness of breath or a feeling of windedness.

    Mentally Altered

    • Some people who are experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis will become mentally altered, most often seen as a sense of confusion or uncertainty.

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