What is diabetes ketoacidosis?

Diabetes Ketoacidosis ("DKA") is a very serious medical condition that can result in diabetic coma and death.  DKA is caused by an imbalance of insulin and glucagon.  Glucagon is an important hormone that is released from the pancreas which helps balance blood glucose ("sugar") used by the body's cells to produce energy to fuel the body.

If enough insulin is unavailable to the diabetes patient's cells for energy production, the cells are unable to convert glycogen into energy or store it in the body's fat cells.  The body reacts by oxidizing stored fat and muscle for energy production and ketones are produced as a by-product.  Ketones are acidic, and as this metabolic process continues, ketones and toxins build-up in the body to dangerous DKA levels.

The body attempts to eliminate the excess toxins and fatty acids through urination, but essential sodium, potassium and water also flow out of the body, and may lead to frequent urination, Dehydration, blurred vision, dry skin, drowsiness, vomiting and ketonuria (excessive level of ketones in the urine).