What is "ketoacidosis"

n. (context pathology English) A severe form of ketosis, most commonly seen in diabetes, in which so much ketone is produced that acidosis occurs.

n. acidosis with an accumulation of ketone bodies; occurs primarily in diabetes mellitus [syn: diabetic acidosis]

Ketoacidosis is a metabolic state associated with high concentrations of ketone bodies, formed by the breakdown of fatty acids and the deamination of amino acids. The two common ketones produced in humans are acetoacetic acid and β-hydroxybutyrate.

Ketoacidosis is a pathological metabolic state marked by extreme and uncontrolled ketosis. In ketoacidosis, the body fails to adequately regulate ketone production causing such a severe accumulation of keto acids that the pH of the blood is substantially decreased. In extreme cases ketoacidosis can be fatal.

Ketoacidosis is most common in untreated type 1 diabetes mellitus, when the liver breaks down fat and proteins in response to a perceived need for respiratory substrate. Prolonged alcoholism may lead to alcoholic ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis can be smelled on a person's breath. This is due to acetone, a direct by-product of the spontaneous decomposition of acetoacetic acid. It is often described as smelling like fruit or nail polish remover.Diabetic ketoacidosis at medical dictionary

of National Institutes of Health. Ketosis may also smell, but the odor is usually more subtle due to lower concentrations of acetone.