US Medical Term · conditions
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Cetoacidosis diabética
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Diabetic Ketoacidosis |
| Spanish (Español) | Cetoacidosis diabética |
| Chinese (中文) | 糖尿病酮酸中毒 |
| Korean (한국어) | 당뇨병성 케톤산증 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nhiễm toan ceton do đái tháo đường |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Diabetic Ketoacidosis |
| Portuguese (Português) | Cetoacidose diabética |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ภาวะกรดคีโตนในเลือดจากเบาหวาน |
| Japanese (日本語) | 糖尿病性ケトアシドーシス |
What it means
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes, most often type 1 diabetes. It occurs when the body has very little or no insulin, causing blood sugar to rise very high. Without insulin, cells cannot use sugar for energy, so the body breaks down fat rapidly, producing acidic compounds called ketones that build up in the blood. Symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity-smelling breath, and confusion. DKA requires immediate emergency medical treatment with intravenous fluids, insulin, and electrolyte replacement. It can be triggered by illness, missed insulin doses, or newly undiagnosed diabetes.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I was recently hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis and want to understand how to prevent it from happening again.
Recientemente fui hospitalizado por cetoacidosis diabética y quiero entender cómo prevenirla.
My blood sugar is very high and I feel sick to my stomach — could this be DKA?
Mi azúcar en sangre está muy alta y me siento mal del estómago. ¿Podría ser cetoacidosis diabética?
Can you explain what warning signs I should watch for that might indicate I am developing DKA?
¿Puede explicarme qué señales de advertencia debo observar que podrían indicar que estoy desarrollando cetoacidosis diabética?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
E10 Type 1 diabetes mellitusRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026