In 1940, Dillon et al1 described a series of nine patients who had episodes of severe ketoacidosis Sober living house in the absence of diabetes mellitus, all of whom had evidence of prolonged excessive alcohol consumption. It was not until 1970 that Jenkins et al2 described a further three non‐diabetic patients with a history of chronic heavy alcohol misuse and recurrent episodes of ketoacidosis. This group also proposed a possible underlying mechanism for this metabolic disturbance, naming it alcoholic ketoacidosis. The prognosis for alcoholic ketoacidosis is good as long as it’s treated early. However, the long-term prognosis depends on the severity of the underlying alcohol abuse disorder.
Prevention
Cells still need energy to survive, so they switch to a back-up mechanism to obtain energy. Fat cells begin breaking down, producing compounds called ketones. Ketones provide some energy to cells but also make the blood too acidic (ketoacidosis). This ketoacidosis is similar to the ketoacidosis that occurs in diabetes except that, unlike in diabetic ketoacidosis, blood glucose levels are low. This is why diagnosis and subsequent treatment can sometimes be challenging, but it’s crucial to receive a proper and timely diagnosis to obtain the correct treatment. Growth hormone, epinephrine, cortisol, and glucagon are all increased.
What Is the Prognosis for Alcoholic Ketoacidosis?
Arterial blood gas and biochemistry studies reveal a raised anion gap metabolic acidosis without evidence of lactic or diabetic ketoacidosis. Often, blood alcohol levels are no longer elevated when patients present with alcoholic ketoacidosis. The patient should have blood glucose checked on the initial presentation. The next important step in the management of AKA is to give isotonic fluid resuscitation.
- Magnesium and phosphate levels should be measured and repleted if the serum levels are found low.
- You can prevent alcoholic ketoacidosis by limiting your alcohol intake.
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- People with this condition are usually admitted to the hospital, often to the intensive care unit (ICU).
- You should also follow all of your doctor’s recommendations to ensure proper nutrition and recovery.