Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA for short, is a severe complication of type 1 diabetes. If not treated immediately, it can lead to serious long-term complications such as brain swelling and coma, and can even be potentially life-threatening.
Despite its severity, many people do not know the signs and symptoms of DKA.
We lived with Type 1 diabetes for 28 years and sat with Ty Bellinger, who lives outside Fayetteville, Arkansas. He experienced this condition first hand.
What led to your DKA experience?
DKA develops when someone’s blood sugar levels remain dangerously high for a long period of time.
This condition is often exacerbated by dehydration, leading to the accumulation of acidic and toxic substances in the blood. When set by DKA, it becomes difficult to lower blood sugar levels to a safe level.
People may experience DKA for a variety of reasons. Almost half of people with type 1 diabetes have received DKA at the time of diagnosis, but acute circumstances such as infection, illness, and even a gap in health insurance coverage (which could lead to insulin distribution) can lead to hyperglycemic levels and the resulting DKA.
For more information: What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
Beringer highlights these issues vividly:
“My DKA experience was a result of high prices at the time, but I got worse during college and after I graduated, I got worse for about a year.”
He continues,
“These things combined with the fact that my insurance company continues to deny access to continuous glucose monitors meant I didn’t know I was catching up with me in the end, and I spent a few nights in the hospital.”
Have you experienced a warning sign that you are going to DKA?
Signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, such as thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss, are well known, but it can be difficult to detect the onset of DKA.
Read more about hyperglycemic symptoms: Symptoms of hyperglycemia.
Beringer agrees that not everyone can see or feel it coming:
“The DKA warning signs are similar to those who are intentionally not using enough insulin.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signs of DKA include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- Fast, deep breathing
- Dry skin and mouth
- I washed my face
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Rapid weight loss
- Fruity scented breath
- Haze
- headache
- fatigue
- Muscle pain
If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms without remedying for days or weeks, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911.
How was it treated?
Treatment of DKA usually involves a combination of administered insulin and intravenous fluid. To avoid further complications, patients should be closely monitored to ensure that blood glucose levels drop at a controlled rate.
Bellinger shares his personal experiences with treatment:
“The hospital is well known for having type 1 diabetes. That’s it.”
Balancing type 1 diabetes can be extremely difficult, especially for young people. Some people in Type 1 experience DKA several times or many times.
Bellinger says,
“I’ve had a DKA many times.
(If you think you may be experiencing DKA, seek emergency medical attention immediately.)
What do you know now that you want to know?
Bellinger State,
“Ever since then I have known about the online diabetic community.
How did this affect you emotionally? How did you deal with it?
Having diabetes can be a roller coaster of emotions. The CDC estimates that diabetics are two to three times more likely to develop depression and are 20% more likely to experience anxiety during their lifetime. The DKA threat could contribute to it. ”
Bellinger says,
“For a long time I struggled with myself, but ever since, I have been in survival mode and now I am in my situation and put my health at risk.”
He continues,
“But the biggest impact was that my DKA experience encouraged me to become an advocate. still The health care system can fail, but none of us are safe and we need to do something about it. There should not be any DKA as a result of the ration. I look back on my experiences at DKA every day and hope that it will ultimately have a positive impact on the world through my advocacy work. ”
Have you had long-term physical effects from DKA?
Bellinger Note,
“As a result of DKA or nearly 30 years of experience with DKA, I gained CGM and reduced my A1C (a measure of glucose control over the previous two months).
Do you have any advice to others to avoid DKA?
Beringer hopes that his defense will help prevent others from suffering from DKA like he did.
He says,
“The number one prevention simply uses continuous glucose monitors.
For more information about DKA prevention, see below. How to avoid diabetic ketosidosis (DKA).
Final Thoughts
Beringer’s story highlights the importance of accessible healthcare. Diabetes is a personal condition, but it is also clear that it is a collective challenge that requires community support, advocacy, and improved healthcare policies.
