All About DKA


 2017-02-13

What is DKA?

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complication from diabetes that can be serious and life-threatening. DKA is often a common factor when first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and can often be mistaken for flu symptoms. It also occurs during the management of the disease when the body is not receiving enough insulin to break down glucose. This forces the body to start breaking down fat as fuel and ketones are then released into the body. Elevated ketones in the urine, severe weight loss, extreme thirst, blurry vision, lethargy and disorientation are all signs of DKA. If left untreated, DKA will lead to coma and death.

Beyond Type 1’s #SeeTheSigns Diabetes Awareness Campaign

Want to help save lives and spread awareness as to what DKA is? Be a part of Beyond Type 1’s #SeeTheSigns Diabetes Awareness Campaign. We are putting warning signs of type 1 diabetes posters in every pediatrician’s office so both parents and physicians can be reminded of what type 1 looks like in diagnosis.

DKA at diagnosis

Resources

Stories

How can I help?

Donate to Beyond Type 1 and help fund our DKA Awareness Campaign across the United States.

You can also help spread awareness about the warning signs of type 1 diabetes by downloading and sharing these materials. Knowing the symptoms of type 1 diabetes (T1D) can prevent late diagnosis and DKA or even death.

DKA in management

Resources

Stories

WRITTEN BY BT1 Editorial Team, POSTED 02/13/17, UPDATED 12/26/22

This piece was authored collaboratively by the Beyond Type 1 Editorial Team.