ketoacidosis

noun

ke·​to·​ac·​i·​do·​sis ˌkēt-ō-ˌas-ə-ˈdō-səs How to pronounce ketoacidosis (audio)
plural ketoacidoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce ketoacidosis (audio)
: acidosis resulting from increased levels of ketone bodies in the blood

Note: Ketoacidosis occurs most commonly as a complication of diabetes but may occur from other causes (such as starvation).

With each word from his parched mouth came an unpleasant, fruity scent of acetone, the hallmark of diabetic ketoacidosis, which occurs when the body does not have enough insulin to obtain the energy it needs.Elisabeth Rosenthal, Discover

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Cite this Entry

“Ketoacidosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/ketoacidosis. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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