Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition that affects people with diabetes, especially those with type 1 diabetes. It happens when the body cannot use sugar for energy because there is not enough insulin, so it starts breaking down fat instead. This process produces harmful acids called ketones that build up in the blood. The condition mainly affects the metabolic system and can cause symptoms like extreme thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. If untreated, it can lead to severe dehydration, coma, or even death. DKA requires urgent medical attention to restore normal blood sugar and acid levels. It is a dangerous complication of diabetes that reflects a critical imbalance in the body's energy use.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute metabolic emergency characterized by hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and metabolic acidosis resulting from absolute or relative insulin deficiency combined with increased counterregulatory hormones such as glucagon, cortisol, and catecholamines. It most commonly occurs in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus but can also present in type 2 diabetes under stress conditions. The lack of insulin leads to increased lipolysis and free fatty acid oxidation in the liver, producing ketone bodies (acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate) that cause acidemia. Clinically, DKA presents with polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration, abdominal pain, Kussmaul respirations, and altered mental status. It is a life-threatening condition requiring prompt recognition and management to prevent complications such as cerebral edema and cardiovascular collapse.