Managing Diabetic Ketoacidosis

When to Seek Medical Care

• If you have diabetes, contact your doctor if your blood sugar is significantly high (generally above 350 mg/dL) or if it remains elevated despite home treatments.
• If you have diabetes and experience a fever or vomiting, get in touch with your doctor for guidance.
• If you have access to urine ketone test strips at home and find moderate or higher urine ketone levels, inform your doctor.

When to go to the hospital

If you have diabetes and display noticeable signs of illness, dehydration, confusion, or extreme weakness, it's crucial to go to the hospital's emergency department. Seek immediate medical attention for symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, severe abdominal pain with vomiting, and high fever.

Self-Care at Home

Home care primarily focuses on preventing diabetic ketoacidosis and managing moderately elevated blood sugar.

If you have type 1 diabetes, monitor your blood sugar at least 3-4 times a day. Increase the frequency if you're unwell, dealing with an infection, or recovering from an illness or injury.

Treat moderate blood sugar elevations with extra doses of short-acting insulin. Many individuals with diabetes have pre-arranged plans with their doctors for additional insulin injections when blood sugar levels rise.

Stay alert for signs of infection and maintain proper hydration by drinking non-sugary fluids throughout the day.

Follow-up

In mild cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, you may be treated and discharged from the emergency department, with the condition that you promptly follow up with your doctor.

Whether you're discharged or monitored in the hospital, continue close blood sugar monitoring at home. Experts recommend testing at least four times daily. Manage high blood sugar with adjustable insulin doses and pay special attention to staying well-hydrated with non-sugary fluids.

Long-term follow-up should include regular visits to your doctor to maintain normal blood sugar control, screen for diabetes-related complications through tests like hemoglobin A1C, kidney function, and cholesterol, annual eye exams, and routine foot inspections for nerve damage or wounds.

Prevention

Preventing diabetic ketoacidosis involves vigilant blood sugar control, especially during periods of infection, stress, trauma, or severe illness. Adhere to insulin injection schedules and reach out to your physician when necessary.