My grandmother has Type 1 diabetes and sometimes when she's feeling unwell, the doctor asks us to check for 'ketones'. I'm not entirely sure what these are. Can someone explain what diabetes ketones are and why they are important?
5 months ago
Ketones are chemicals that form when the body starts burning fat for energy instead of sugar because of a lack of insulin. We must keep our body hydrated with plenty of water, but this is a serious medical situation. If you suspect high ketone levels, you must visit the hospital immediately rather than trying anything at home.
4 months ago
As someone managing diabetes, I know ketones usually build up when blood sugar is consistently very high, above 240 mg/dL. I use urine test strips to check for ketones if my sugar levels spike unexpectedly. Be very careful with your carbohydrate intake and never skip your insulin or medicine doses.
5 months ago
When ketones are present due to high blood sugar, you should actually avoid heavy exercise or gym sessions as it can make the levels go even higher. If your sugar is high and ketones are detected, rest and consult your doctor. Once your levels are stable and the doctor allows, you can resume your daily walks.
5 months ago
Haan na, ketones can be really scary if they build up too much in the blood, leading to a condition called DKA. It usually happens when there is very little insulin in the body to process glucose. If you feel extremely thirsty, tired, or have a fruity breath, please contact your doc immediately.
5 months ago
In a vegetarian diet, we have to be careful about matching our insulin doses with our carb intake to prevent ketones from forming. High ketones can make you feel nauseous and very weak. Make sure you are eating balanced meals and monitoring your blood glucose closely under a dietitian's guidance.
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