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What Is the Connection between Diabetes and Acetone?
Acetone is a ketone produced when the body is forced to use body fat as its primary energy source. There is an important connection between diabetes and acetone. In diabetics, the presence of acetone is a sign that insulin is not transporting glucose to the cells. High acetone levels can cause a condition known as ketoacidosis, which occurs when a large amount of acetone accumulates in the blood and is eventually expelled through urination. People who believe they might be suffering from ketoacidosis should contact a physician to ensure that their diabetes and acetone levels are under control, as this condition can lead to serious health problems.
High ketone levels most commonly occur in people who suffer from type 1 diabetes but can also occur in people with type 2 diabetes. Acetone begins to accumulate in the body when a diabetic skips meals, fails to take prescribed medication, or has not administered enough insulin. Due to the connection between diabetics and acetone, physicians often suggest that diabetics regularly test both their ketone and insulin levels. This should help patients understand how their lifestyle and diabetes management routine affects the body.
In addition to understanding the connection between diabetes and acetone, it is also important to know how to recognize the signs of acetone metabolism. One common sign that a person’s diabetes and acetone levels are out of control is the presence of acetone breath. If a diabetic’s breath smells abnormally fruity or sweet, his or her lungs might be producing and releasing acetone.
In the later stages of ketoacidosis, an individual will begin releasing acetone in his or her urine, which is known as acetonuria. This is a sign that the body is being forced to metabolize large amounts of fat in order to produce enough energy to sustain proper functioning. If a person is experiencing acetonuria, his or her urine might have a strong or unusual odor. Other symptoms include thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, dilated pupils and confusion.
Diabetics who exhibit symptoms of ketoacidosis should test their ketone and blood glucose levels. Low amounts of acetone in the urine or blood can usually be corrected by drinking water, eating a healthy snack, or administering insulin. If acetone levels are high or are accompanied by vomiting, the individual should consult a physician immediately. Severe diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to coma and other health problems, which is why it is so important for diabetics to understand the connection between diabetes and acetone.
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![The need to urinate often can be a symptom of diabetes.]()
By: aerogondoThe need to urinate often can be a symptom of diabetes. -
![High ketone levels most commonly occur in people who suffer from type 1 diabetes.]()
By: joshyaHigh ketone levels most commonly occur in people who suffer from type 1 diabetes. -
![Diabetic ketoacidosis may cause nausea and vomiting.]()
By: Piotr MarcinskiDiabetic ketoacidosis may cause nausea and vomiting. -
![Diabetics can help prevent ketoacidosis by eating healthy and using their prescribed insulin dosage.]()
By: Gordan JankulovDiabetics can help prevent ketoacidosis by eating healthy and using their prescribed insulin dosage. -
![It's crucial that diabetics understand the connection between acetone and diabetes.]()
By: dalaprodIt's crucial that diabetics understand the connection between acetone and diabetes. -
![Insulin replacement therapy is necessary for treating diabetes type 1 and may be required for advanced cases of type 2.]()
By: yottieInsulin replacement therapy is necessary for treating diabetes type 1 and may be required for advanced cases of type 2. -
![Diabetics may be prone to developing infections following foot injuries.]()
By: NorGalDiabetics may be prone to developing infections following foot injuries.
Discussion Comments
Diabetes can be a very frustrating disease because this condition is so unpredictable. For some people, they are fine one moment then without notice their blood sugar levels are rising off the charts or dipping so low that they are on the verge of passing out.
One of my friends in high school had type 1 diabetes and so did her little brother and her mother. I can remember wondering how in the world were they able to go through that routine of pricking their fingers and checking their blood day after day, week after week, month after month and so.
I have a friend who started getting really bad breath, and he was also getting a lot of mucus in his system. He was constantly coughing up mucus. He said it felt like mucus was all in his head, his neck and his back.
He went to the dentist first to try to figure out what was causing the bad breath. The dentist had no answers for him. The condition was tough because my friend didn't know when the bad breath was present. Eventually, he went to his doctor and told him about the bad breath. They did a few tests, and the doctor thought this condition might be a symptom of a sinus infection. This also explained the mucus to a certain degree.
He took antibiotics and other medicines for what he thought were chronic sinus infections for more than a year before he was diagnosed with diabetes. Now, with insulin and other medications, he is able to keep his symptoms under control.
My aunt has diabetes and she is thirsty all of the time. Before she was aware she had the disease and was taking medication, she would always be thirsty and none of us could understand how she could drink so much water and still want more. She got to the point that she never went anywhere without a big bottle of water in her pocket book pr strapped to her waist.
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