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Diabetic ketoacidosis - Symptom
Overview
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Treatment
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Alternative Names
DKA; Ketoacidosis; Diabetic coma
Symptoms:
Frequent urination
or frequent
thirst
for a day or more
Fatigue
Nausea
and vomiting
Muscular stiffness
or aching
Mental stupor that may progress to
coma
Rapid breathing
Fruity breath (
breath odor
)
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Headache
Decreased consciousness
Breathing difficulty while lying down
Low blood pressure
Decreased appetite
Abdominal pain
Signs and tests:
Low blood pressure
Rapid heart rate
Signs of
dehydration
High blood glucose (above 300 mg/dL)
Presence of glucose and
ketones in urine
by home or office testing
Serum potassium
(may be elevated)
Serum amylase
(may be elevated)
Arterial blood gas (reveals pH of less than 7.3)
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Urine pH
Sodium - urine
Serum sodium
Potassium - urine
Serum phosphorus
Serum magnesium
CSF collection
CO2
Food and insulin release
Reviewed last on: 8/8/2006
Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network