Question about DKA

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I'm a student and I have a question about DKA.

If you have a patient with the flu as well as DKA, how is the flu relevant? Is it because when you are sick your glucose rises because of the stress OR because of the vomiting and dehydration?

Any help would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Diabetes ED, (CDE), CCU, Pulmonary/HIV.
I'm a student and I have a question about DKA.

If you have a patient with the flu as well as DKA, how is the flu relevant? Is it because when you are sick your glucose rises because of the stress OR because of the vomiting and dehydration?

Any help would be appreciated.

Many cases of DKA (and almost all cases of HHS or HHNKS) start with infection or illness. As you stated, the stress of the illness causes high BG levels (increases cortisol levels which raise BG). The high BG levels lead to dehydration (osmotic diuresis). The vomiting is a symptom of DKA (body trying to get rid of acid to try to compensate). But if it comes before the DKA, could be symptom of the original illness. Treatment of DKA should include fluid replacement, insulin drip, potassium replacement.

HHS actually has a higher mortality rate than DKA. People with HHS tend to be much older, sicker & more debilitated, and even more dehydrated (BG can range from 600 to 2000 with HHS.)

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Thank you very much!

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