Jack Dunn, 17, was unable to even stand or move normally due to excruciating stomach aches. His parents, understandably, hurried him to the hospital, where a battery of tests were run.
When his parents from Porth, Wales, found out that their teenage son had just suffered from severe constipation, they were both relieved and taken aback. Before sending him home, the physicians gave him a prescription for some strong laxatives.
The fact that Jack’s physical condition was far more serious than anyone could have imagined was unknown to the family as they were leaving the hospital.
Tragically, Jack’s father Kieron discovered his son dead in bed just twenty-four hours after he had left the hospital.
Jack’s parents reported that the hospital’s doctors showed no care whatsoever for their son’s condition. With a scan, they had even ruled out the chance of appendicitis.
“We brought him to A&E, and we had total faith in the medical staff to diagnose the issue. He was in so much anguish that he could hardly walk. A bladder scan was performed on him, but the results were not very encouraging. According to Jack’s father, the doctor expressed confusion and thought Jack was simply experiencing severe constipation, as reported by The Sun.
It transpires that Jack was experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis.
When the body is unable to create enough insulin, a hazardous condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis can develop. Apart from insufficient insulin, the body is also generating an excessive quantity of ketones, commonly known as blood acids.
According to Kieron, “the doctor believed that Jack’s difficulty breathing was likely anxiety stemming from his worry about being in the hospital.” “But the reason he was having trouble breathing was that the ketoacidosis was causing his organs to shut down.”
“The worst moment of my life was finding my son dead in his bed,” he continued. I think Jack would still be alive today if a couple more straightforward tests had been performed.
His parents believe that he would still be alive today if the doctors had only taken the time to conduct a simple glucose test.
“Jack’s white blood cell count was up so that was an indicator something was going on in his body that wasn’t right. If they had tested him for ketones he would probably be alive today.”
When detected early enough, ketoacidosis can easily be treated with insulin and proper medication. Other symptoms of ketoacidosis to be aware of include excessive thirst, fatigue, confusion, fast breathing, and the frequent need to urinate.
Jack’s parents are hoping that by sharing their son’s story, they will be able to spread awareness to others about ketoacidosis, and hopefully spare another family the pain of having to go through what they have.
“My son was a healthy fit 17-year-old who was full of energy and life. I have to speak out both for Jack and our family which has been utterly devastated by his loss. People need to know what a deadly condition ketoacidosis is,” Kieron said.
