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High Blood Sugars(Ketoacidosis)

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Symptoms Of Ketoacidosis

These symptoms are due to the ketone poisoning and should never be ignored. As soon as a person begins to vomit or has difficulty breathing, immediate treatment in an emergency room is required to prevent coma and possible death.

Early Signs, Symptoms: Late Signs, Symptoms:
  • very tired and sleepy
  • weakness
  • great thirst
  • frequent urination
  • dry skin and tongue
  • leg cramps
  • fruity odor to the breath*
  • upset stomach*
  • nausea*
  • vomiting*
  • shortness of breath
  • sunken eyeballs
  • very high blood sugars
  • rapid pulse
  • rapid breathing
  • low blood pressure
  • unresponsiveness, coma
* these are more specific for ketoacidosis than hyperosmolar syndrome

Everyone with diabetes needs to know how to recognize and treat ketoacidosis. Ketones travel from the blood into the urine and can be detected in the urine with ketone test strips available at any pharmacy. Ketone strips should always be kept on hand, but stored in a dry area and replaced as soon as they become outdated. Measurement of Ketones in the urine is very important for diabetics with infections or on insulin pump therapy due to the fact it gives more information than glucose tests alone.

Check the urine for ketones whenever a blood sugar reading is 300 mg/dl or higher, if a fruity odor is detected in the breath, if abdominal pain is present, if nausea or vomiting is occurring, or if you are breathing rapidly and short of breath. If a moderate or large amount of ketones are detected on the test strip, ketoacidosis is present and immediate treatment is required. 

Symptoms for hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome are linked to dehydration rather than acidosis, so a fruity odor to the breath and stomach upset are less likely.

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