16. Diabetic Ketoacidosis

A sudden and dangerous complication of diabetes that is always a medical emergency is a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Low insulin levels due to the lack of production in the body (Type 1 diabetes) trigger the liver to convert fats into ketone, an alternative to glucose, which the cells could use for energy. When this happens, ketone bodies are formed, a normal occurrence during periodic starvation like skipping meals. In cases where ketone bodies are present for long periods, ketoacidosis happens and can cause loss of consciousness, loss of blood pressure, shock and death.