There are many diabetes sufferers in America - around 10.9 million men and 9.7 million women. There are lots of possible complications, but one of the most feared is diabetic ketoacidosis. This complication causes severe damage of the cells, which can result in a variety of illnesses or even death. Some diabetic patients with ketoacidosis are in a permanent coma because one or more of their vital organs have degenerated so badly.

A large buildup of glucose in the body can lead to increased production of ketone bodies. These ketone bodies cause diabetic ketoacidosis. One of the main reasons this is a concern for diabetes sufferers is because diabetes reduces the ability of the body to break down sugar, which can lead to a buildup of glucose. If the body doesn’t break down the glucose, it compromises the production of insulin in the body, and insulin is the counteragent of ketone bodies.

Because lack of insulin contributes to the buildup of ketone bodies, diabetic ketoacidosis is often treated with insulin injections. The reasoning is simple - give the body what it can't produce for itself. If the body's ability to produce insulin has been compromised, then it makes sense it has to be introduced from outside sources.

The sooner diabetic ketoacidosis is treated, the less damage it can do. If you have a suspicion that you or someone you know is suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, it's important for them to have a medical check immediately. There are certain danger signs to look out for, particularly if you're already aware that the person is suffering from diabetes. These include:

# fatigue
# nausea accompanied by vomiting
# stiff muscles accompanied by pain
# more frequent urination than is normal
# occasional loss of consciousness
# halitosis
# low blood pressure
# shortness of breath
# abdominal pain

Obviously if the diabetic patient is only suffering from one of these symptoms, it could be the result of many different issues. But if the patient is experiencing many of them, it should be taken as a warning sign, and the patient should be taken to a medical professional immediately to check for ketoacidosis.

You should never take the possible present of ketoacidosis lightly, as the cell degeneration it causes can potentially lead to serious complications such as kidney failure, a comatose state, heart attacks or even death. There are also many other illnesses that can result from ketoacidosis.

Like most things, it's always better to prevent a condition from developing than to try and cure it. If you're already suffering from diabetes, then that's a warning signal in itself. It's important to exercise diligence in knowing and recognizing the warning signs, to help minimize the possibility that this perilous complication can develop, or to get medical assistance as early as possible.