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What Is Ketoacidosis?

• Potential life-threatening condition due to buildup of ketones from severe hyperglycemia
• Ketones are substances that are made when the body breaks down fat for energy
• Develops over hours, or even days
• #1 reason for hospitalization for children with diabetes
• Can cause severe dehydration, coma, brain damage, or death

When To Check For Ketones

This last group of symptoms indicate severe hyperglycemia, and probable ketoacidosis.

• Labored breathing
• Profound weakness
• Confusion
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Sweet, fruity breath
• Unconscious

These symptoms often happen with high blood sugar and may mean you have diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be a potentially life-threatening condition.

The onset of severe hyperglycemia and progression to DKA is usually pretty slow, so treating symptoms when they are mild is important.

Symptoms of Mild Hyperglycemia:

What is Hyperglycemia?

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Resources

American Diabetes Association
1701 N. Beauregard St.
Alexandria, VA 22311
1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383)

If not treated promptly a mild hypoglycemic reaction can quickly progress to a severe state:

Behavior/personality changes

The symptoms of mild hypoglycemia are the first alert that the body is in a state of sugar deficiency.  

Symptoms may include the following:

Hypoglycemia is the greatest immediate danger to students with diabetes. Students will often recognize and be able to treat the early symptoms of hypoglycemia. Occasionally, however, a student might miss the early symptoms get to a point in which they cannot reliably help themselves. If this happens they will need others to recognize the symptoms of low blood glucose level, and what to do to treat it.  If it is not treated it can lead to: unconsciousness, seizures, and may be life-threatening.