Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Causes, Signs, and How It Affects Your Health

When your body doesn’t have enough insulin, it can’t use sugar for energy—so it starts burning fat instead. That process creates toxic acids called ketones, acidic substances produced when the body breaks down fat for fuel in the absence of sufficient insulin. Too many ketones make your blood too acidic, leading to diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of diabetes caused by insulin deficiency and high blood sugar. This isn’t just a lab result—it’s a medical emergency that can sneak up fast, especially in people with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin. If you’re on insulin and skip a dose, get sick, or don’t eat enough, your body can tip into ketoacidosis within hours.

High blood sugar is the starting point, but it’s the lack of insulin that turns it dangerous. Without insulin, glucose builds up in your blood while your cells starve. Your liver responds by pumping out even more glucose, and your fat stores go into overdrive, flooding your system with ketones. You might notice fruity-smelling breath, nausea, vomiting, or extreme thirst. Some people think they’re just getting the flu—until they start breathing fast and deep, a sign your body is trying to blow off acid. If left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to coma or death. It’s not rare: studies show nearly 14% of people with type 1 diabetes will have at least one episode before age 30. And it’s not just new diagnoses—people who’ve had diabetes for years can still get it if they miss insulin, get an infection, or stop taking meds.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical insights from people who’ve dealt with this, or the doctors who treat it. You’ll see how medications like saxagliptin help manage blood sugar without triggering ketoacidosis, how diet and monitoring can prevent spikes, and why knowing your body’s warning signs saves lives. There’s no fluff—just clear info on what works, what doesn’t, and how to stay ahead of this condition. Whether you’re managing diabetes yourself or caring for someone who is, these posts give you the tools to act before it’s too late.