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Alcoholic Ketoacidosis /

What is alcoholic ketoacidosis?

What causes alcoholic ketoacidosis?

What are the symptoms of alcoholic ketoacidosis?

How can doctors tell if I have alcoholic ketoacidosis?

How do doctors treat alcoholic ketoacidosis?

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Disorders of Blood Sugar Metabolism

Diabetes

Complications of Diabetes

Drug Treatment of Diabetes

Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State

Hypoglycemia

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Most of the body’s iron is found in hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that enables the cells to supply oxygen to all the body’s tissues. Iron also plays a role in muscle cell function and the formation of some enzymes. While iron is found in many foods, it may or may not be easily absorbed depending on the type of iron. Which of the following foods contains the more easily absorbed type of iron?

Bananas
Pumpkin seeds
Red meat
Spinach

Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision May 2021| Content last modified May 2021

Click here for the Professional Version

Get the full details

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is a problem caused by drinking a lot of alcohol without eating food. It can happen to people who binge-drink alcohol.

If you drink a large amount of alcohol, get sick to your stomach, throw up, and can't eat or drink for a day or more:

Your blood sugar (glucose) levels drop
Your body makes less insulin to help your cells use blood sugar for energy
Your cells start burning fat for energy instead
Broken down fat goes to the liver and is made into ketones (acids)
The acid level in your blood goes up

Symptoms include:

Extreme thirst
Feeling sick to your stomach
Throwing up
Belly pain
Deep, fast breathing

Doctors suspect alcoholic ketoacidosis from your symptoms and your alcohol use. To know for sure, doctors will do:

Blood and urine tests

Doctors treat alcoholic ketoacidosis with:

Thiamin (a type of B vitamin), given by vein (IV)
IV fluids (containing glucose if the blood sugar is low) and electrolytes Overview of Electrolytes Electrolytes are minerals that circulate in your blood. These minerals are also in your stomach juices, in your stool (poop), in your urine, and inside your body's tissues. Salt (sodium) is... read more (minerals, such as sodium and potassium, that help with many important body functions)
Insulin only if your blood sugar goes too high with treatment

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version

Click here for the Professional Version

Drug Treatment of Diabetes

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Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Disorders of Blood Sugar Metabolism

Diabetes

Complications of Diabetes

Drug Treatment of Diabetes

Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State

Hypoglycemia

Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Most of the body’s iron is found in hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that enables the cells to supply oxygen to all the body’s tissues. Iron also plays a role in muscle cell function and the formation of some enzymes. While iron is found in many foods, it may or may not be easily absorbed depending on the type of iron. Which of the following foods contains the more easily absorbed type of iron?

Bananas
Pumpkin seeds
Red meat
Spinach

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