Patient was instructed on advanced signs of hyperglycemia as follows:
- Hyperglycemia can go untreated sometimes and the body cells continue to suffer for source of energy.
- Under these circumstances, the body will shift for an alternative source of energy, other than glucose.
- Fat is broken down by the human body, when the body doesn’t have enough insulin to use glucose. This fat breakdown leads to production of ketone bodies that are acidic and highly toxic to the body. When levels of ketones become very high in the blood, this condition is called diabetic ketoacidosis. These ketones have a fruity odor to the breath and imparts a characteristic odor.
- As compensation to the acidosis, people tend to breath more and so, present with hyperventilation.
- Due to continuing loss of water, secondary to diuresis, symptoms of dehydration can be very prominent.
- Mucous membranes, skin, and oral mucosa can be dry.
- Continued lack of energy source for the cells result in increased fatigue, confusion, and in severe cases even coma.
