Breath that smells like ripe apples warns of serious diabetes complications

Doctor.CKI Phan Tuan Trong (Emergency Department, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City) shared that insulin secreted by the pancreas is the only hormone in the body that has a role in controlling blood sugar. As a result, insulin helps sugar (glucose) – the main source of energy for muscles and other tissues – enter the body’s cells. In people with diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or does not work at all, causing insulin deficiency. The body then begins to break down fat for fuel. This process creates a buildup of acids in the blood called ketones. If not treated promptly, the patient will develop diabetic ketoacidosis, which is life-threatening.

Dr. Trong further shared, diabetic ketoacidosis includes: hyperglycemia, ketosis, acidosis accompanied by electrolyte disturbances. However, in many cases, patients have ketoacidosis when they have severe infections, cellulitis or inflammation that has spread around before going to the doctor. At that time, the disease progressed seriously, treatment was difficult, sometimes requiring dialysis. Elevated ketoacidosis can cause dangerous complications such as coma, brain edema and even death.

There are many causes of diabetic ketoacidosis, such as insulin deficiency, infections that affect insulin action, heart disease, alcohol use, stress, corticosteroid use, etc. the patient uses the drug to lower blood sugar in the wrong direction, at the wrong dose… leading to poor blood sugar control. Sometimes diabetic ketoacidosis is the first sign of diabetes in undiagnosed people.

Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis usually develop slowly, and early signs and symptoms include: feeling very thirsty, urinating more than usual. If left untreated, more serious symptoms can happen quickly, including: fast, deep breathing; dry skin and mouth; flushed face; fruity (apple smell) breath; headache; tired; vomiting; stomachache…

Subjects prone to ketoacidosis

According to Dr. Trong, people with diabetes have enough factors such as: poor blood sugar control, insufficient insulin, infection (due to scratches when falling), obesity, long-term use of corticosteroids years (treatment of osteoarthritis)… the higher the risk of ketoacidosis. Patients who unfortunately fall, scratch … have long-healing wounds, inflammation, redness and spread are also susceptible to ketoacidosis. Because the patient’s immune system is weakened, many organs in the body are no longer as sensitive as normal people, and cannot “detect” early signs of the disease.

The treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis will be performed in a hospital with an Endocrinology department to replenish the fluid lost due to frequent urination, helping to dilute the excess sugar in the blood; Replace electrolytes, use antibiotics to treat infections to prevent ketoacidosis. The doctor who corrects the insulin deficiency will help reverse the factors that cause the ketoacidosis.

Ketosis is a serious emergency but can be prevented through regular blood sugar testing. The first thing is that the patient maintains a routine of regular health checks and blood sugar control; If you have a blood sugar level of 300 mg/dl or higher or you find ketones in your urine during a home test, it should be done quickly. access to the nearest emergency service.

If the patient falls, the patient must handle the wound properly, such as cleaning the scratched skin (using an antiseptic on the skin, dressing, preserving the wound). 24-48 hours after a fall, if the patient shows signs of infection, swelling, fatigue, etc., they should go to the hospital quickly.

People with diabetes if they see signs of stress, fatigue, breath that smells like ripe apples; prolonged vomiting, difficulty breathing, impaired consciousness, other diseases (cardiovascular, pancreatitis…) need to go to the hospital immediately to check the status of ketoacidosis. All of these tips will help you avoid dangerous complications from diabetic ketoacidosis.

Nha Trang