Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis

Infobox_Disease
Name = PAGENAME


Caption =
DiseasesDB = 29670
ICD10 =
ICD9 =
ICDO =
OMIM =
MedlinePlus =
eMedicineSubj = med
eMedicineTopic = 102
MeshID =

Ketoacidosis is a type of metabolic acidosis which is caused by high concentrations of ketone bodies, formed by the deamination of amino acids, and the breakdown of fatty acids. The two common ketones produced in humans are acetoacetic acid and β-hydroxybutyrate.

This is most common in untreated type 1 diabetes mellitus, when the liver breaks down fat and proteins in response to a perceived need for respiratory substrate. It can also occur with people undergoing hunger strikes, fasting over 3 days, or people starving to death as the body is forced to break down fat for sustenance due to their lack of outside nutrition.

Ketoacidosis can be smelled on a person's breath. This is due to acetone, a direct byproduct of the spontaneous decomposition of acetoacetic acid. It is often described as smelling like fruit or nail polish remover. [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000320.htm Diabetic ketoacidosis] at medical dictionary of National Institutes of Health.]

Ketoacidosis should not be confused with ketosis, which is one of the body's normal processes for the metabolism of body fat. In ketoacidosis, the body fails to adequately regulate ketone production causing such a severe accumulation of keto acids that the pH of the blood is substantially decreased.

Pathophysiology

Ketoacidosis occurs when the body is producing high levels of ketone bodies via the metabolism of fatty acids (ketosis) and the body is producing insufficient insulin to slow this production. The excess ketone bodies can significantly acidify the blood. The presence of high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) caused by the lack of insulin can lead to further acidity in the blood. In healthy individuals this normally does not occur because the pancreas produces insulin in response to rising ketone/blood sugar levels.

Acidity results from the dissociation of the H+ ion at physiological pH of metabolic ketone bodies such as acetoacetate, and β-hydroxybutyrate.

Etiology

Two common types are diabetic and alcoholic ketoacidosis.

In diabetic patients, ketoacidosis is usually accompanied by insulin deficiency, hyperglycemia, and dehydration. Particularly in type 1 diabetics the lack of insulin in the bloodstream prevents glucose absorption and can cause unchecked ketone body production (through fatty acid production) potentially leading to dangerous glucose and ketone levels in the blood. Hyperglycemia results in glucose overloading the nephron and spilling into the urine. Dehydration results following the osmotic movement of water into urine, exacerbating the acidosis.

In alcoholic ketoacidosis, alcohol causes dehydration and blocks the first step of gluconeogenesis. The body is unable to synthesize enough glucose to meet its needs, thus creating an energy crisis resulting in fatty acid metabolism, and ketone body formation.

See also

* Diabetic ketoacidosis
* Keto acids
* Low-carbohydrate diet

References

External links

* The Merck Manual - [http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch158/ch158c.html#sec12-ch158-ch158c-1224 Diabetic Ketoacidosis]
* [http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch158/ch158e.html#sec12-ch158-ch158e-1256Alcoholic Alcoholic Ketoacidosis]
* [http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/tb/2878 Lancet case study] Atkins diet-induced Ketoacidosis


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ketoacidosis — Acidosis, as in diabetes or starvation, caused by the enhanced production of ketone bodies. * * * ke·to·ac·i·do·sis .kēt ō .as ə dō səs n, pl do·ses .sēz acidosis accompanied by ketosis <diabetic ketoacidosis> * * * n. a condition in which… …   Medical dictionary

  • ketoacidosis — n. a condition in which acidosis is accompanied by ketosis, such as occurs in diabetes mellitus (see diabetic ketoacidosis). Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, abdominal tenderness, confusion or coma, extreme thirst, and weight loss …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • ketoacidosis — noun acidosis with an accumulation of ketone bodies; occurs primarily in diabetes mellitus • Syn: ↑diabetic acidosis • Hypernyms: ↑acidosis • Part Holonyms: ↑type I diabetes, ↑insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • ketoacidosis-prone diabetes — noun severe diabetes mellitus with an early onset; characterized by polyuria and excessive thirst and increased appetite and weight loss and episodic ketoacidosis; diet and insulin injections are required to control the disease • Syn: ↑type I… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ketoacidosis-resistant diabetes — noun mild form of diabetes mellitus that develops gradually in adults; can be precipitated by obesity or severe stress or menopause or other factors; can usually be controlled by diet and hypoglycemic agents without injections of insulin • Syn:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ketoacidosis-resistant diabetes mellitus — noun mild form of diabetes mellitus that develops gradually in adults; can be precipitated by obesity or severe stress or menopause or other factors; can usually be controlled by diet and hypoglycemic agents without injections of insulin • Syn:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ketoacidosis — Form of acidosis in which there is excess production of ketone bodies by the ketogenic pathway. Frequently a complication of diabetes, hence the sweet smell said to be characteristic of the breath of diabetics …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • ketoacidosis — noun A severe form of ketosis, most commonly seen in diabetics, in which so much ketone is produced that acidosis occurs …   Wiktionary

  • ketoacidosis — n. acid condition of the blood caused by an increased production of ketone bodies (Medicine) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis — Classification and external resources Dehydration may be profound in diabetic ketoacidosis, and intravenous fluids are usually needed as part of its treatment ICD 10 E …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”