Diabetes Emergency Treatments

Diabetic Symptoms to Watch for to Avoid A Medical Emergency

While diabetes can usually be kept under control, it may sometimes lead to serious complications and you can never tell when you will have to undergo emergency treatments. Let me demonstrate the exact complications that might require diabetic emergency treatments, what these treatments are all about and how you can prevent having to go through these complications. So let’s get started, shall we?

The most dangerous condition that can hit any diabetic is diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. It occurs when the body is not able to properly dispense insulin in the bloodstream. This is when structures, which are called ketones, start to build up in the blood and starts to wreak havoc on the system. Ketones are by products of the breakdown of fat cells to release energy and they have for effect of increasing the level of acidity in the system. This causes imbalance in your system and increases the chances of ketoacidosis of occurring.

Symptoms associated with ketoacidosis include, but are not limited to: nausea and vomiting, accelerated heartbeat, dry mouth, stomach aches, sharp decline of appetite, excessive urination, energy loss, irregular breathing and cerebral edema. While only about one percent of people affected by ketoacidosis will suffer cerebral edema, it is the arguably the most serious complication related to DKA. It can lead to coma, permanent brain damage and even death. It is most common among young children that are affected by DKA.

When a patient has to be treated for ketoacidosis, he will usually need intravenous fluids. It will usually consist of rapid rehydration with a saline solution followed up with a low dose replacement of insulin and potassium. He may also have to receive amounts of isotonic fluids to restore proper circulation. The added insulin intake will result in a sharp decline in blood glucose level and reverse the ketoacidosis. The patient will then be closely monitored to prevent any further complications.

So how can you prevent ketoacidosis from happening? Well first, you have to eat regularly and sensibly. If you purposely starve yourself to lose weight or lower your blood sugar, your body will start to seek energy from stored fat and produce ketones. Make sure you eat enough to feel full, but still watch what you eat. Your diet should be composed of various foods and enough carbohydrates; this will prevent your body from taking energy from stored fat. And of course, try to monitor your blood sugar level often and use ketostixs or ketone test strips to monitor the level of ketones in your system.

So now that you know what complications can necessitate diabetes emergency treatments and how you can prevent them from occurring, make sure you follow professional advice to ensure you stay away from the hospital emergency room…