ketoacidosis

Definition

A life-threatening condition where your body burns fat so aggressively it produces acidic ketones that poison your blood—usually happening when diabetics run out of insulin. The metabolic equivalent of your body eating itself wrong.

Example Usage

The patient presented in diabetic ketoacidosis after deciding insulin was optional, demonstrating poor understanding of biochemistry and consequences.

Origin

Medical term from early 20th century combining 'keto' (ketone bodies) with 'acidosis' (blood acidity)

Fun Fact

Before insulin was discovered in 1921, diabetic ketoacidosis was 100% fatal, making Frederick Banting's discovery literally one of medicine's greatest hits.

Source: Endocrinology and emergency medicine terminology

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