Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is caused by untreated high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). If does not get treated, it can develop into a life threatening sickness. In this state the body breaks down fat at a high rate.^[1][2] It is caused by a lack of insulin and a high number of ketones which causes blood to become acidic. This sickness is an emergency that can lead to coma or death.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Dehydration
• Breathing problems
• Stomach pain
• Breath that smells like fruit
• Fast heart rate
• Unconsciousness^[3][2]

Those who have type 2 diabetes can also get sick with ketoacidosis. DKA can happen with high blood sugar, when medicine is stopped, because of a bad sickness or infection.^[1]

• Catabolism
• Respiratory alkaloidosis