What is the primary cause of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?

The primary cause of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is too little insulin. In individuals with diabetes, particularly those with type 1 diabetes or advanced type 2 diabetes, the body does not have sufficient insulin available to utilize glucose for energy. Without adequate insulin, blood sugar levels rise, and the body begins to break down fat for fuel instead. This process leads to the production of ketones, which can accumulate to dangerous levels, resulting in ketoacidosis.

In essence, DKA is characterized by high blood glucose levels along with metabolic acidosis due to the excessive accumulation of ketones, which occurs when insulin is either absent or not effective enough. This condition can be precipitated by factors such as infections, stress, or omitting insulin doses, but the root cause remains the deficiency of insulin that fails to maintain normal glucose metabolism.