Used as a solvent, acetone is a colourless liquid that can be recognised by its ethereal smell. This chemical substance also exists naturally in the human body, which makes it from fats. In very simple terms, ketosis is an excessive level of acetone and related bodies in the blood. This level tends to increase in the event of acid-base balance disorders, especially when cells lack sugar, a fuel that allows them to carry out their activity. Ketosis therefore occurs when sugar cannot enter the cells or when there is hypoinsulinemia, i.e. an insufficient amount of insulin in the body that forces the body to draw sugar from other constituents such as fatty acids for example. The breakdown of these fats consequently leads to the formation of ketones in the blood, elements that can be detected with a simple urine analysis.
Symptoms
Ketosis is characterized by frequent nausea and vomiting that is difficult to control. Following this first phase, the affected person may have a fever and abdominal pain that occurs without causing diarrhea. The patient then loses his appetite and his breath takes on the characteristic smell of acetone, a smell that is similar to that of a reinette apple.
Recommended treatments
Generally speaking, care is more delicate when the patient is a child insofar as vomiting disrupts the latter's diet, making him weak and tired. However, homeopathic treatments can fight against acetonomy while improving the general condition of the affected subject. Thus, at the beginning of the crisis, it is advisable to take 5 granules of Senna 5 CH which should be renewed every hour until a noticeable improvement is felt. For a long-term treatment, it is recommended to take 1 dose of Lycopodium clavatum 9 CH or Sepia officinalis 9 CH per week to relieve the most common disorders. In the event of recurrent episodes in children, homeopathic remedies should instead be prepared from Lycopodium clavatum, Phosphorus and Natrum muriaticum. It is also possible to calm an attack by taking 5 granules of Senne 5 CH every hour until the symptoms finally subside.
When to see a doctor?
When faced with an acetone attack, it is essential to consult a doctor immediately, especially when the attack lasts several hours or manifests itself in an unusual way. In fact, as soon as acetone is found to be present in the urine, it is essential to turn to a health professional to look for the cause of the disorder. The practitioner is the only one authorized to give a precise diagnosis that can lead to the most appropriate treatment.
