Diabetic ketoacidosis
The initial symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis can develop quite suddenly andwill continue to get worse if not treated.
In the early stages, the main signs of diabetic ketoacidosis are:
You may also develop other symptoms of dehydration , such as a dry mouth .
If you have your own device or kit to measure your blood sugar and/or ketone levels, you may notice that the levels of both of theseare higher than normal.
Left untreated, more advanced symptoms can develop, such as:
In some cases, life-threatening complications of diabetic ketoacidosis can also develop.
If you think you or your child are experiencing early symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, andself-testing shows you have a high blood glucose and/or ketone level, you should immediately contact your diabetescare teamor GP for advice.
If this isn't possible, call yourlocalout-of-hours service or NHS 111 .
If you or someone in your care appears to be experiencing more advanced symptoms, go immediately to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department .
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes, caused by a lack of insulin in the body. Find out how to spot it, how it's treated, and how you can prevent it.
Read about the main signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, and find out when you should seek medical advice.
Find out why diabetic ketoacidosis develops and what commonly triggers the condition.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is usually treated in hospital. Find out more about the treatment you may receive.
With prompt treatment, diabetic ketoacidosis can be corrected without any complications developing. If left untreated, the condition can be life-threatening.
If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, it's very important that you follow all recommendations regarding diet, medication, insulin therapy and self-testing to help prevent diabetic ketoacidosis.