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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

Hypoglycemia

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Which of the following is the most common cause of ischemic hepatitis?

Blocked blood vessels in the hepatic artery and hepatic vein
Decreased blood flow throughout the body
Decreased oxygen levels in the body due to severe respiratory disorders
Increased need for both oxygen and blood resulting from severe bodywide infection (sepsis)

Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Sep 2019

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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 (minerals, such as sodium and potassium, that help with many important body functions)
Insulin only if your blood sugar goes too high with treatment

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Drug Treatment of Diabetes

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