High Blood Sugars & Vomiting Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Hopefully by following sick day rules this situation can usually be avoided

This is when your blood glucose readings are high and continue to increase (often above 20 mmols/l) and you start vomiting and ketones are present in the urine. Signs of deterioration include heavy deep breathing, cold hands and feet, profound thirst, passing lots of urine and smelling of ketones. In this situation: -

• Admission to hospital is urgent
• Call an ambulance and explain the situation
• Phone the ward to say you are coming into casualty (LGI number or St James's)
• Note the last blood sugar and whether there are lots of ketones in the urine
• Inform the doctor on arrival what insulin you are on and when you last had it. (Giving more insulin at this stage will not be effective)
• If unconscious place them on their side (recovery position).

To learn more about DKA click here