Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis
Ketone bodies
Specialty	Endocrinology
Symptoms	nausea, vomiting, pain, weakness, unusual breath odor, rapid breathing
Causes	medications, alcoholic beverages

Ketoacidosis is a metabolic state caused by uncontrolled production of ketone bodies that cause a metabolic acidosis. While ketosis refers to any elevation of blood ketones, ketoacidosis is a specific pathologic condition that results in changes in blood pH and requires medical attention. The most common cause of ketoacidosis is diabetic ketoacidosis but can also be caused by alcohol, medications, toxins, and rarely, starvation.