Wednesday, November 28, 2007

About Doctor Appointment


Hello again everyone, this is Eddie. I just wanted to let you know about the Doctor appointment. Denise is in what is known as diabetic ketoacidosis, I will let you know what that is.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus. In this condition, insufficient insulin levels in the body result in high blood sugar (glucose) and the buildup of substances called ketones in the blood (ketoacidosis). Left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis leads to coma and eventual death.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is usually triggered by a stressful event, such as an illness or another health problem.
Fortunately, diabetic ketoacidosis can be successfully treated with prompt medical care.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis can develop in less than 24 hours. Elevated blood sugar and high levels of ketones in your blood are typical signs of DKA. Other signs and symptoms may include:
Excessive thirst or urination
Weakness and fatigue
Deep, slow breathing
Nausea, vomiting and stomach pain
Decreased appetite and weight loss
Fruity-scented breath (caused by high ketone levels)
People with diabetic ketoacidosis often become dehydrated because they produce large amounts of urine. Signs of dehydration include a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) and low blood pressure (hypotension). Untreated diabetic ketoacidosis results in coma and eventual death.
Causes
Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs in people who have diabetes. People with diabetes have insufficient levels of the hormone insulin, which is necessary to help your cells take up glucose to use as energy. Even if your blood is flooded with glucose, it's still not available to the cells in the absence of insulin.
As the cells' energy reserves become depleted, your body attributes the problem to a lack of glucose in the blood — which isn't actually the case — and prompts the release of hormones that break down alternate fuels such as fat stores into glucose. The process of breaking down fats forms acids known as ketones. Increased ketone levels in the blood upset the pH balance in your blood, making the blood more acidic (acidosis). An acidic environment is toxic to your body's cells.
Stressful events often set off an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis because stress prompts the release of excessive amounts of hormones that break down fat into glucose, overwhelming the ability of insulin to "permit" the uptake of glucose into the cells.
Underlying triggers Most cases of diabetic ketoacidosis are triggered by an underlying health problem. The most common cause of DKA is an infection, such as pneumonia or a urinary tract infection. They gave her more fluids through an I.V. today, and changed her insulin. They did blood work to check her liver enzymes, please pray that this has not affected her liver. She got to come home, but is so tired. They are watching her closely, she has to go see another eye specialist tomorrow. She is my brave, patient little patient. She loves you all, and keeps you in her prayers. Bless you for caring about my wife. Please keep praying for her. Thank you all, I am going to fix us something to eat, and then we are both going to sleep.





22 comments:

Unknown said...

I'll continue to pray for her.

Joyce said...

Please let Denise know she is in my prayers. I could have had the same problem 2 years ago, but the Dr. saw the signs in the very early stages. God is good.

Sharon said...

Denise is always in my daily prayers. Tell her I love her and for her to rest a lot!

Anonymous said...

thanks again Eddie
bless you for keeping us informed
Denise is very special to a lot of us
Praying she feels better soon

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update Eddie. You are a blessing to Denise. Let her know I am thinking of her and praying for her. She is so very special to me and my family.

Cynthia

Anonymous said...

Oh Eddie,

God bless you and thank you for asking for prayer. I am praying for Denise. When you read this, please go give her and hug from me.

Your wife is one of the kindest caring people I know. I can't wait to meet her one day. Love you both, Lynn

Mary said...

Eddie,

I am so glad that when I decided to put up a prayer request for Denise on my blog, I saw that you had updated her blog.

I have you both in my thoughts and prayers. Being a diabetic myself, I appreciate your explanation of her illness.

Please tell Denise I am holding her up in prayer.

Blessings,
Mary

Jules said...

Thanks so much, Eddie! Denise, you are so loved
Hope you feel better soon
I Love you, Julie

Rose of Sharon said...

Dear Eddie,

I will pray for Denise. I really sincerely pray and hope that she recovers quickly from this. Blessings to you and your family.

In Him ~ Sharon

Rebecca said...

Tell her I love her and am praying for her. Thank you so much for keeping us posted. Your a good guy. You are both in my prayers.

With Love
Rebecca

A Captured Reflection said...

I don't think Denise realises the wonderful impact she has on those around her in blog land. I will be praying for her too.

Bernadine said...

I'm happy that she's home. Please let her know that I'm praying for her.

Allison said...

Brian and I praying of course!

Allison said...

Brian and I praying of course!

Irene said...

Praying for you with love and with all our hearts.

Sandi said...

Thank you for keeping us update. I am keeping her in my prayers.

Karen said...

Hello all, I came here by way of Sharon's and I'm so sorry to hear of this. I will be praying for her quick recovery. My oldest daughter (25) has been diabetic since age 12, so we're very familiar with what you're going through. Blessings to you.
Karen
Kindred Haven

Melli said...

I've just heard all this... she is in my prayers!

Melanie said...

Thanks for the updates.

Praying for you, Denise! And, also for you Eddie, as it must be difficult to see Denise this way.

Shari said...

I will add Denise to my prayers. I was sent by Mary. I hope Denise gets better quick. You are a good husband to update her blog for her.

God Bless.

Hootin Anni said...

I'm here from Mary's Writing Nook, and wanted to add my prayers. Eddie, I hope you're being strong...this is so hard on a loved one and I know just how helpless you feel [I know, I've been there myself] ---you BOTH are in my prayers.

~~Deby said...

Praying...I am here from Sharons and will take this need to the Throne too...
Deby
WA, State