The point at which DKA is considered to be resolved is when the persons blood glucose is less than 200 mg/dL, their serum bicarbonate is greater than or equal to 15 mEq/L, the persons venous pH is greater than 7.3 and the persons anion gap is less than or equal to 12 mEq/L.
The length of time it takes to recover from severe DKA with prompt treatment is around 24 hours although in more severe cases it may take a few days or longer to recover fully from DKA especially if it wasn't treated right away.
To treat DKA including severe DKA the person is admitted to the ICU for frequent monitoring of blood sugar and vital signs, to be given intravenous fluids to restore electrolytes and constant insulin infusions until the blood sugar levels return to normal and your ketone levels decrease.
The severity levels of DKA range from mild, moderate and severe.
Mild DKA: pH level of 7.25–7.3 and serum bicarbonate level of 15–18 mEq/L
Moderate DKA: pH level of 7.0–7.24 and serum bicarbonate level of 10–less than 15 mEq/L
Severe DKA: pH level less than 7.0 and serum bicarbonate level less than 10 mEq/L
The organ that fails in DKA is the kidneys although DKA can also damage other organs which include the heart, brain, lungs and liver.
With DKA fluid can buildup in the brain which is also known as cerebral edema and can cause brain swelling and coma.
Fluid can also build up in your lungs during DKA which is also known as pulmonary edema and cardiac arrest can occur with DKA and liver function can also deteriorate.
The highest priority in DKA is rehydration and fluid replacement through IV to restore fluid volume with intravenous fluids such as normal saline 0.9 percent sodium chloride or lactated ringer solution which helps to correct electrolyte imbalances, clear ketones and restore tissue perfusion.
Other treatments that are a priority in DKA are insulin administration which helps move glucose into cells which reduces the production of ketones and frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels, often with a sampling catheter.
The most fatal complications of DKA are cerebral edema, hypokalemia, cardiac arrest, coma, and kidney failure.
The reason why DKA is a life threatening crisis is because DKA causes a dangerous buildup of acids in the blood.
During DKA too many ketones are produced too fast which build up to dangerous levels in the body which make the blood acidic which can lead to serious illness very quickly and the acid buildup can alter the normal function of organs throughout your body.
DKA can also lead to cerebral edema which is the leading cause of death from DKA and is most common in younger people.
Other complications of DKA include coma, respiratory failure, dehydration and possibly death.
If DKA is not treated the DKA leads to coma, organ damage and eventually death.
DKA requires hospitalization and urgent treatment and you often need to stay in the hospital a few days to recover or sometimes longer depending on any complications.
If treated soon enough you may be able to go home the same day or next day but most people need to stay in the hospital a few days for treatment and to recover.
The survival rate of DKA is over 95 percent although older people have a higher mortality rate of around 10 to 20 percent due to other conditions.
Also people with organ damage have a lower survival rate of DKA and when you don't get prompt treatment your survival rate goes down.
Prompt treatment increases your chance of survival with DKA.
DKA or diabetic ketoacidosis is a life threatening condition in which there is an excess of ketones in your blood and the ketones are toxic acids that are produced when your body breaks down fat for energy instead of using glucose.
Symptoms of DKA or diabetic ketoacidosis include.
Vomiting that looks like coffee grounds.
Confusion or decreased alertness.
Rapid heart rate and low blood pressure.
Dehydration which can cause dry mouth and decreased skin elasticity.
And a fruity or pear drop odor on your breath.
The blood sugar level that ketoacidosis starts is a blood sugar level that is greater than 250 mg/dl, arterial pH less than 7.3, serum bicarbonate less than 15 mEq/l, and the presence of ketonemia or ketonuria.
The leading cause of death in diabetic ketoacidosis is cerebral edema.
Cerebral edema is swelling of the brain and it occurs particularly in young children and adolescents when rapid fluid shifts occur during treatment which can lead to coma and death if it's not managed properly.
Signs of cerebral edema are headache, lethargy, altered mental status and persistent vomiting.
Factors that increase the risk for cerebral edema during diabetic ketoacidosis are low sodium levels, rapid fluid administration and severe acidosis.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a severe and life threatening diabetes complication which occurs when your body produces too many ketones too quickly.
Diabetic ketoacidosis can affect people that have type 1 diabetes and rarely people that have type 2 diabetes who require insulin.
The warning signs and signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis are fast, deep breathing, nausea and vomiting, being very tired and fatigued, muscle stiffness or aches, headache, fruity smelling breath, flushed face, dry skin and mouth.
When a person is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis it's very important and crucial to get medical treatment right away.
Treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis often involves IV fluids, insulin and electrolytes through a vein.
Without prompt medical treatment the diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to loss of consciousness and eventually death.
Commonly accepted criteria for diabetic ketoacidosis are blood glucose greater than 250 mg/dl, arterial pH less than 7.3, serum bicarbonate less than 15 mEq/l, and the presence of ketonemia or ketonuria.
The normal anion gap is 12 mEq/l.
People with type 2 diabetes can also develop DKA, but it is much less common and less severe.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis is usually triggered by prolonged uncontrolled blood sugar, missing doses of medicines, or a severe illness or infection.