What causes diabetic vomiting? This could occur for a number of reasons actually. Sometimes it can be something as simple as a reaction to your medication or it may just be the cold, flu, or stomach bug. In some circumstances it may be an indication that something is majorly wrong.
Diabetic vomiting is a major sign that a person is experiencing ketoacidosis. This is a major concern because ketoacidosis can lead to coma or even death. This condition is caused by excess ketones, or waste products, in their blood stream. A diabetic, particularly a type 1 diabetic, who is experiencing diabetic vomiting, should buy an over-the-counter ketone test kit to ensure that they do not have a high level of ketones in their urine. If you have excess ketones in your urine, you should seek emergency treatment.
Treatment of Diabetic Vomiting
When a diabetic has the flu or some other type of illness that induces vomiting, it is normally not an emergency, but does need to be treated more seriously than if the person did not have diabetes. First of all a diabetic illness has serious effects on your blood sugar levels, especially when nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is involved. These could quickly cause your blood sugar levels to rise. An infection can also cause you blood sugar to increase. So, in any case, it is important for diabetics to check their blood sugar regularly when they are ill.
According to WebMD.com, it is important to drink liquids regularly to prevent dehydration, especially in cases of diabetic vomiting. The recommended amount is one cup of liquid every hour while you are awake. Drinking liquids is especially important if you cannot keep down solid foods. Continue to take your insulin even if this is happening. People with type-2 diabetes and are on oral medications should continue to take the medicine as well, even in cases of illness and diabetic vomiting, unless. Also, when you are taking over-the-counter medications, check to see if there are sugar-free medications available.
You don’t have to call upon your doctor every time you are experiencing an illness. You should call your doctor if you blood sugar stays higher that 180 mg/dL or lower than 70 mg/dL or if you have a fever that reaches over 101 degrees F or 38.3 degrees C. You should also call your doctor if you are experiencing diabetic vomiting or diarrhea.
