Which clinical manifestation best distinguishes hypoglycemia from diabetic ketoacidosis?

Diaphoresis, or excessive sweating, is a key clinical manifestation associated with hypoglycemia, distinguishing it from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). When blood glucose levels drop significantly, the body activates a series of counter-regulatory mechanisms to raise these levels, leading to symptoms like sweating, increased heart rate, anxiety, and trembling.

In contrast, diabetic ketoacidosis primarily involves elevated blood glucose levels, metabolic acidosis, and ketone production, which result in symptoms such as polyuria, extreme thirst, nausea, abdominal pain, dehydration, and sometimes a fruity breath odor due to the buildup of ketones. While symptoms like blurred vision can occur in both conditions due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, diaphoresis is specifically tied to the body’s acute response to low glucose levels, making it the most distinguishing feature between the two conditions in a clinical setting.