Without insulin to regulate blood glucose levels, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to excessive urination (polyuria) and thirst (polydipsia) as the kidneys try to eliminate the glucose. The body then begins to break down fat for energy instead, producing harmful ketones that build up and cause a dangerous condition called ketoacidosis if left untreated. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include excessive hunger (polyphagia), rapid deep breathing (Kussmaul respirations), and a fruity or sweet breath odor as the body tries to remove the ketones through rapid breathing.

1. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM Diabetes

2. BLOOD GLUCOSE
 Without insulin, glucose gradually accumulates in the blood -
eventually leading to extremely high levels.
 Once the blood glucose levels reach 200 mg/ dL or more,
excess glucose is excreted from the body by the kidneys.
 Glycosuria- glucose (sugar) in the urine

3. POLYURIA
 This process requires large amounts of water; therefore, the
patient experiences frequent and plentiful urination -polyuria
 This leads to dehydration

4. POLYDIPSIA
 Dehydration causes the patient to drink large amounts of
water to satisfy their continuous thirst - polydipsia

5. KETONES
 In the absence of glucose in the cells, the body must turn to
other fuel sources, the most abundant of which is fat.
 However, when fat is metabolized by the cells, fatty acids and
chemicals called ketones are produced.

6. ACIDOSIS
 Ketones and fatty acids are dif ficult for the body to excrete;
therefore, they accumulate in the blood, resulting in a
dangerous condition called acidosis.

7. DIABETIC COMA
 The form of acidosis seen in uncontrolled diabetes is called
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), also known as diabetic coma.
 This is a form of hyperglycemic crisis - too much sugar in the
blood

8. POLYPHAGIA
 Patients with DKA may present with excessive hunger -
polyphagia
 This is because the body’s cells are literally starving for sugar.

9. KUSSMAUL RESPIRATIONS
 In an attempt to remove ketoacids from the blood, the
respiratory system increases its function, which manifests as
deep, rapid breathing- Kussmaul Respirations
 The patient often has a fruity (acetone) or sweet breath odor,
which indicates the respiratory elimination of ketoacids.