Final answer:
Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs with blood sugar levels significantly elevated above the normal range, typically above 250 mg/dL, due to the breakdown of fatty acids for energy in cases of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. It leads to an increased acidity in the blood, potentially causing severe dehydration and disruption of normal biological processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication that typically occurs in people with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, where blood sugar levels are significantly elevated. This condition arises when the body starts breaking down fatty acids for energy due to insufficient glucose reaching certain tissues. The process generates high levels of ketone bodies, such as acetoacetic acid, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, and acetone, which increase the acidity of the blood. Diabetic ketoacidosis involves blood sugar level significantly above the normal range, notably above 180-360 mg/100 ml, and it can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
An accurate blood sugar level indicating diabetic ketoacidosis typically varies, but it generally presents with levels above 250 mg/dL. This far exceeds the normal fasting blood glucose levels of below 100 mg/dL and postprandial levels that should return to less than 140 mg/dL in healthy individuals. Elevated ketone bodies and thus ketoacidosis often accompany these high blood glucose levels in diabetes, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination and excessive thirst, and can result in severe dehydration and alter the normal pH balance (7.35-7.45) of the blood.