See Figure 1. The other emergency is ketonuria, the appearance of moderate or large ketones in the urine, which can develop into acidosis. The lack of knowledge about when to measure urine ketones and what to do when they are positive, and not having ketone sticks which have not expired available in the home, are the most common deficiencies in families referred to our center. These deficiencies can result in a serious episode of acidosis.
Acidosis is very dangerous and people can go into a coma or die from it.
It is possible, with good knowledge and by following the instructions in this chapter, to never have an episode of acidosis. Acidosis can be prevented in a child who is known to have diabetes. Ketonuria and acidosis are due to there not being enough insulin available to meet the body's needs. With an illness, extra energy may be needed by the body. This cannot be made unless extra insulin is available to make the extra energy from sugar.