Acetone: A Key to Catching Diabetes Complications

You may be the type of person who manages his or her diabetes like it's a religion.

You’re careful with your diet, take your insulin, and test your blood regularly, so you know your body is always under control. That’s great! You’re doing everything you can to ensure you live a healthy, happy life, even with the difficulties you face with diabetes.

But life moves fast, and sometimes you just can’t be as diligent as you’d like to be. How do you know if your diabetes is being managed effectively when you don’t have the time to test yourself or scientifically measure and monitor your food? The answer can be as simple as checking your breath!

Acetone Breath

If your body isn’t getting enough glucose, it will resort to burning fat for energy. In order to break down these fats, the body produces ketones, which can accumulate in your blood and urine over time.

One type of ketone, called acetone, is easily recognized by its fruity smell, and if you have too much acetone, your breath can start to adopt that telltale scent. This is an indication that you need insulin right away because your glucose levels are too high and the ketones are building up in your blood. Left untreated, this could lead to diabetic ketoacidosis or even diabetic coma.

While it’s always best to keep tabs on your diabetes and manage it well, this little tip can be lifesaving for those times in life when your focus slips.