Diabetic Ketoacidosis Health Article

KEY TERMS

Acidosis—A condition that causes the pH of the blood to drop and become more acidic.

Diabetes mellitus—Disease characterized by the inability of the body to produce or respond properly to insulin, which is required by the body to convert glucose to energy.

Edema—The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces of the body.

Glucose—The type of sugar found in the blood.

Hyperglycemia—Condition characterized by excessively high levels of glucose in the blood, and occurs when the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it does have to turn glucose into energy. Hyperglycemia is often indicative of diabetes that is out of control.

Hyperketonemia—Condition characterized by an overproduction of ketones by the body.

Hypoglycemia—Lower than normal levels of glucose in the blood.

Hypokalemia—A deficiency of potassium in the blood.

Insulin—A hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to high blood sugar levels that induces hypoglycemia. Insulin regulates the body's use of glucose and the levels of glucose in the blood by acting to open the cells so that they can intake glucose.

Ketones—Poisonous acidic chemicals produced by the body when fat instead of glucose is burned for energy. Breakdown of fat occurs when not enough insulin is present to channel glucose into body cells.

Lactic acidosis—A serious condition caused by the build up of lactic acid in the blood, causing it to become excessively acidic. Lactic acid is a by-product of glucose metabolism.

Metabolism—The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in the body resulting in growth, transformation of foodstuffs into energy, waste elimination and other bodily functions.

Polyuria—Excessive secretion of urine.

Type I diabetes—Also called juvenile diabetes. Type I diabetes typically begins early in life. Affected individuals have a primary insulin deficiency and must take insulin to stay alive.

Type II diabetes—Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and usually appears in middle aged adults. It is often associated with obesity and may be delayed or controlled with diet and exercise.