Alcoholic Ketoacidosis Clinical Presentation: History, Physical Examination, Complications

Alcohol abuse impacts many different parts of the body—the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and more—and can cause a variety of serious health problems. All chronic alcohol misusers attending the ED should receive intravenous B vitamins as recommended by The Royal College of Physicians.23 Strenuous efforts must be made to exclude concomitant pathology. If the patient’s mental status is diminished, consider administration of naloxone and thiamine. Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink will help prevent this condition.

What is the prognosis (outlook) for someone with DKA?

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is attributed to the combined effects of alcohol and starvation on glucose metabolism. “If there are actual lab abnormalities, it’s a sign that you need to take a break,” Bonthala says. There’s some research that suggests red wine might be the best choice for people who want to drink occasionally. In fact, Pabla says, some small studies have found that 1 to 3 grams of red wine per week might improve inflammation in the gut. In contrast, another study found that people who drank beer “had significantly worse endoscopic disease,” he says. “I ask every patient about alcohol,” says Dr. Baldeep Pabla, an assistant professor at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: A Narrative Review for Emergency Clinicians

How severe the alcohol use is, and the presence of liver disease or other problems, may also affect the outlook. People with this condition are alcoholic ketoacidosis smell usually admitted to the hospital, often to the intensive care unit (ICU). Medicines may be given to prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

How Is Alcoholic Ketoacidosis Treated?

Fulop and Hoberman5 argued that a functional abnormality is more likely to be responsible, as even severe AKA usually improves rapidly with treatment. They attributed this to the administration of therapy (intravenous dextrose) rather than the withdrawal of the toxin, ethanol. Treatment for AKA usually involves the use of intravenous fluids to restore electrolyte balance and to replenish lost fluids. It is also important to reduce the amount of alcohol consumption in order to prevent further ketone build-up. Medications may also be used to help reduce the effects of AKA and to help the body restore its natural balance.

• However, if an AKA patient is lethargic or comatose, an alternative cause should be sought.
• Some doctors, however, feel that it’s very important to have the discussion.
• These include acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and alcohol withdrawal.
• If you believe you or someone you love may be struggling with addiction, let us hear your story and help you determine a path to treatment.
• DKA is commonly triggered when you are under stress—like being sick—or when taking medications that change how your body handles glucose.