Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. Moreover, it can occur if you have type 2 diabetes as well. In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis may be the first sign that a person has diabetes. That is why it is important to know how to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is treated with fluids, electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride and insulin. It can lead to loss of consciousness and, eventually, it can be fatal.
How to prevent ketoacidosis complications?
A person with diabetes can take many steps to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis. In order to do that, we have to learn how to manage diabetes well.
Preventive steps include:
- Manage your diabetes. In order to manage diabetes, you should make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine.
- Monitor your blood sugar level. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure your blood sugar level remains within your target range. You should do this more often, especially if you are ill or under stress.
- Adjust your insulin dosage as needed. In order to do this, talk to your doctor. Moreover, he or she will tell you what you eat, how active you are, whether you’re ill and other factors.
- Check your ketone level. When you’re ill or under stress, test your urine for excess ketones with an over-the-counter urine ketones test kit. If your ketone level is moderate or high, contact your doctor right away or seek emergency care. If you have low levels of ketones, you may need to take more insulin.
- Always be prepared to act quickly. If your blood sugar level is high, and you have excess ketones in your urine, seek emergency care.
Diabetes complications are scary. But don’t let fear keep you from taking good care of yourself. That is why we have to know how to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis complications. Follow your diabetes treatment plan carefully, and ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.