DiabetesENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Without insulin, glucose gradually accumulates in the blood- eventually leading to extremely high levels.

Once the blood glucose levels reach 200 mg/dL or more, excess glucose is excreted from the body by the kidneys.

Glycosuria- glucose (sugar) in the urine

BLOOD GLUCOSE

This process requires large amounts of water; therefore, the patient experiences frequent and plentiful urination-polyuria

This leads to dehydration

POLYURIA

Dehydration causes the patient to drink large amounts of water to satisfy their continuous thirst- polydipsia

POLYDIPSIA

In the absence of glucose in the cells, the body must turn to other fuel sources, the most abundant of which is fat.

However, when fat is metabolized by the cells, fatty acids and chemicals called ketones are produced.

KETONES

Ketones and fatty acids are diffi cult for the body to excrete; therefore, they accumulate in the blood, resulting in a dangerous condition called acidosis.

ACIDOSIS

The form of acidosis seen in uncontrolled diabetes is called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), also known as diabetic coma.

This is a form of hyperglycemic crisis- too much sugar in the blood

DIABETIC COMA

Patients with DKA may present with excessive hunger- polyphagia

This is because the body’s cells are literally starving for sugar.

POLYPHAGIA

In an attempt to remove ketoacids from the blood, the respiratory system increases its function, which manifests as deep, rapid breathing- Kussmaul Respirations

The patient often has a fruity (acetone) or sweet breath odor, which indicates the respiratory elimination of ketoacids.

KUSSMAUL RESPIRATIONS