Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
Ketoacidosis - alcoholic
Treatment
Treatment may involve fluids (salt and sugar solution) given through a vein. You may need to have your blood taken often. You may get vitamin supplements to treat nutritional deficiencies caused by excess alcohol use.
People with this condition are admitted to the hospital, often to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)
Prompt medical attention improves the overall outlook. How severe the alcoholism is, and the presence of liver disease or other complications also affect the outlook.
Complications
This can be a life-threatening disorder. Complications can include:
Gastrointestinal bleeding -
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Pneumonia
Calling your health care provider
If you or someone else has symptoms of alcoholic ketoacidosis, seek emergency medical help.
Previous Section
Review Date: 04/01/2011
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason
Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve,
MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
