Chetonuria - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Ketonuria indicates the presence of ketone bodies in the urine. Under normal conditions, acetone, acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid are not found, except in the slightest traces.

This condition appears in rather specific circumstances, in which there is a massive recourse to the lipid deposits of the organism in relation to a reduced availability of glucose and / or the ability of the tissues to rapidly metabolize the ketone bodies is reduced.

In diabetes, ketonuria occurs when the amount of insulin is insufficient to allow proper utilization of glucose, which normally constitutes the main source of energy for vital functions. To compensate for this lack, the body uses fats for energy purposes. The ketone bodies are the final waste products of this process.

The appearance of these substances in large quantities in the urine coincides with their increase in blood (ketonemia): thanks to its purifying action, the kidney tends to eliminate the ketone bodies present in the blood, which are then found in the urine to be expelled, giving it a characteristic chloroform odor. If the kidney is not able to eliminate this excess, the ketone bodies can cause ketoacidosis.

Ketonuria occurs due to various causes, including prolonged fasting, unbalanced diets, chronic alcoholism, fever, pregnancy and extensive burns.

In diabetes, the detection of ketone bodies in urine may indicate the need to adjust therapy with insulin or other hypoglycemic drugs.

In most cases, gestational diabetes resolves not long after the birth. The balanced diet and associated with physical movement is useful to keep blood sugar levels and body weight under control, but if it is not enough for a minority of women it will be necessary to resort to insulin therapy. Usually, this treatment is suspended at the time of labor and is no longer necessary after delivery.