Pathophysiology of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Pathophysiology of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis caused by lack of insulin or insufficient amount of insulin that is real, this situation led to disturbances in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. There are three important kliniks picture in diabetic ketoacidosis is dehydration, acidosis and electrolyte loss.
If the amount of insulin is reduced, the amount of glucose that enters the cell will be reduced as well. Besides, the production of glucose by the liver becomes unmanageable. Both of these factors will result in hyperglycemia. In an effort to eliminate the excess glucose from the body, the kidneys excrete glucose together water and electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium). Osmotic diuresis which is characterized by excessive urination (polyuria) is the cause dehydration and electrolyte loss. Patients with severe ketoacidosis can lose approximately 6.5 liters of water and up to 400 to 500 mEq of sodium, potassium and chloride during a period of 24 hours.
Another result of insulin deficiency is the breakdown of fat (lipolysis) into free fatty acids and glycerol. Free fatty acids are converted into ketones by the liver. In diabetic ketoacidosis occurs excessive production of ketone bodies as a result of a lack of insulin which normally would prevent the situation. Ketones are acidic, and when accumulated in the blood circulation, ketones will cause metabolic acidosis (Brunner and suddarth, 2002).
Diabetic ketoacidosis caused by lack of insulin or insufficient amount of insulin that is real, this situation led to disturbances in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. There are three important kliniks picture in diabetic ketoacidosis is dehydration, acidosis and electrolyte loss.
If the amount of insulin is reduced, the amount of glucose that enters the cell will be reduced as well. Besides, the production of glucose by the liver becomes unmanageable. Both of these factors will result in hyperglycemia. In an effort to eliminate the excess glucose from the body, the kidneys excrete glucose together water and electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium). Osmotic diuresis which is characterized by excessive urination (polyuria) is the cause dehydration and electrolyte loss. Patients with severe ketoacidosis can lose approximately 6.5 liters of water and up to 400 to 500 mEq of sodium, potassium and chloride during a period of 24 hours.
Another result of insulin deficiency is the breakdown of fat (lipolysis) into free fatty acids and glycerol. Free fatty acids are converted into ketones by the liver. In diabetic ketoacidosis occurs excessive production of ketone bodies as a result of a lack of insulin which normally would prevent the situation. Ketones are acidic, and when accumulated in the blood circulation, ketones will cause metabolic acidosis (Brunner and suddarth, 2002).
