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Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus. [1] Signs and symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal pain, deep gasping breathing, increased urination, weakness, confusion and occasionally loss of consciousness. [1] A person's breath may develop a specific "fruity" smell. [1]
Blood tests for the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis measure glycemia (sugar level), pH (blood acidity), and ketone bodies. As urgent medical treatment is often required when DKA is suspected, the tentative diagnosis can be made based on clinical history and by calculating the anion gap from the basic metabolic panel , which would demonstrate ...
If the patient is known to have diabetes, the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis is usually suspected from the appearance and a history of 1–2 days of vomiting. The diagnosis is confirmed when the usual blood chemistries in the emergency department reveal a high blood sugar level and severe metabolic acidosis.
The DKA is diagnosed by the urine analysis which will reveal significant levels of ketone bodies (which have exceeded their renal threshold blood levels to appear in the urine, often before other overt symptoms). And also venous blood investigation for electrolytes, glucose, and acid-base status.
The most common causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis are: ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, kidney failure, and toxic ingestions. [3]Ketoacidosis can occur as a complication of diabetes mellitus (diabetic ketoacidosis), but can occur due to other disorders, such as chronic alcoholism and malnutrition.
The major differential diagnosis is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In contrast to DKA, serum glucose levels in HHS are extremely high, usually greater than 40-50 mmol/L (600 mg/dL). [6] Metabolic acidosis is absent or mild. [6] A temporary state of confusion (delirium) is also more common in HHS than DKA. HHS also tends to affect older people more.
Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms. [2] Blood sugar levels are often normal or only mildly increased. [2] Other conditions that may present similarly include other causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis including diabetic ketoacidosis. [2] Treatment is generally with intravenous normal saline and intravenous sugar solution. [2]
Kussmaul breathing is a deep and labored breathing pattern often associated with severe metabolic acidosis, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) but also kidney failure. It is a form of hyperventilation , which is any breathing pattern that reduces carbon dioxide in the blood due to increased rate or depth of respiration.