Illness and Diabetes are related often as even the simplest cold or flu can cause turmoil for an individual with Diabetes Mellitus. The stress and fatigue associated with a minor illness can distract an individual who is normally very astute at managing his or her Diabetes. The complications of the sickness, such as inability to eat, vomiting, or diarrhea, may cause unstable blood sugar levels. Disregarding one’s caloric intake and insulin dosage makes an individual with Diabetes susceptible to Diabetic Ketoacidosis according to Dr. Sarah Jarvis of the United Kingdom.
Ketoacidosis is a serious condition that occurs when the cells in the body do not receive adequate nourishment (glucose) for energy, so the body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Ketones are acids that build up in the blood and pass into the urine when the body lacks insulin. High levels of ketones are toxic to the …