This past week in Central Wisconsin, a young girl died after suffering from the complications of untreated diabetes. She was in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and suffered a cardiac arrest. DKA is a life-threatening complication for those with untreated diabetes mellitus, who have chronic high blood sugar, and insulin-dependent diabetics. Let’s take a closer look at this treatable, but deadly problem.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis? This is a state in which the body does not produce insulin, resulting in very high levels of blood glucose (sugar). Normal body levels of glucose range from 60-110 mg/dl, while a patient with DKA may well exceed levels of 1000 mg/dl.
When DKA occurs, the body undergoes an energy crisis because it is unable to metabolize the glucose for fuel. In response, the liver begins to break down the fats and proteins of muscle and body organs. If untreated, the body’s chemistry will be altered and the pH level of the blood will be lowered to the point that it is incompatible with life.
November is not only the start of the holiday season, it’s National Diabetes Awareness month. Today, over 20 million Americans suffer from diabetes – with an estimated 30 percent of them unaware of their condition. Of these 20 million diabetics, about 90 percent have Type 2 diabetes. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control characterized the rise in Type 2 diabetes an epidemic. The greater incidence in America is believed to be the increase in the number of obese Americans, as well as the inactivity of our youth. Let’s take a closer look at current issues surrounding this fairly common, but significant, medical condition.
What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that disrupts the body’s metabolism. During metabolism, the body breaks down a majority of food into sugar (glucose) – a ready form of energy for the body. Upon detecting increased blood sugar levels after digestion, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows cells to absorb the glucose from the bloodstream. Without insulin, you can be well fed, yet be in a state of starvation because your cells cannot access glucose’s calories.
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