All About Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

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.
• DKA 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.