Symptoms & Signs
The warning signs that you are becoming very sick might include:
- Deep, rapid breathing
- Dry skin and mouth
- Flushed face
- Fruity breath (breath odor)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
Other symptoms that can occur include:
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination or thirst for a day or more
- Mental stupor that may progress to coma
- Muscle stiffness or aching
- Shortness of breath
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing difficulty while lying down
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased consciousness
- Headache
Diagnosis & Tests
Ketone testing may be used in type 1 diabetes to screen for early ketoacidosis. The ketones test is done using a urine sample. Ketone testing is usually done at the following times:
- When the blood sugar is higher than 240 mg/dL
- During an illness such as pneumonia, heart attack, or stroke
- When nausea or vomiting occur
- During pregnancy
Other tests that may be done to diagnose ketoacidosis include:
- Arterial blood gas
- Blood glucose test
- Blood pressure measurement
- Amylase blood test
- Potassium blood test
This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:
- CO2
- CSF collection
- Potassium urine test
- Magnesium blood test
- Phosphorus blood test
- Sodium blood test
- Sodium urine test
- Urine pH
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Diabetic ketoacidosis : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Diabetic ketoacidosis : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Diabetic ketoacidosis : Treatment
Review Date : 5/20/2009
Reviewed By : Reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Also reviewed by Deborah Wexler, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Endocrinologist, Massachusetts General Hospital.
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