Diabetic coma: Difference between revisions

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'''Diabetic coma''' is a life-threatening complication that can occur in people with [[diabetes]]. This condition is characterized by a state of unconsciousness from which the person cannot be awakened. It is typically caused by either extremely high or low blood sugar levels.
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Diabetic coma
| image          = [[File:Blue_circle_for_diabetes.svg|120px]]
| caption        = The blue circle is the international symbol for diabetes.
| field          = [[Endocrinology]]
| symptoms        = [[Unconsciousness]], [[confusion]], [[dehydration]], [[rapid breathing]], [[fruity breath odor]]
| complications  = [[Brain damage]], [[death]]
| onset          = Sudden
| duration        = Variable
| types          = [[Diabetic ketoacidosis]], [[Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state]], [[Hypoglycemia]]
| causes          = [[Diabetes mellitus]]
| risks          = Poorly controlled [[blood sugar]], [[infection]], [[stress]], [[alcohol consumption]]
| diagnosis      = [[Blood glucose test]], [[urinalysis]], [[arterial blood gas]]
| differential    = [[Stroke]], [[seizure]], [[drug overdose]]
| prevention      = Proper [[diabetes management]], regular [[blood sugar monitoring]]
| treatment      = [[Intravenous fluids]], [[insulin therapy]], [[electrolyte replacement]]
| prognosis      = Variable, depends on promptness of treatment
| frequency      = Common in poorly controlled diabetes
}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Diabetic Coma}}
A '''diabetic coma''' is a life-threatening [[diabetes mellitus|diabetes]] complication that causes unconsciousness. If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma. If left untreated, a diabetic coma can be fatal.
==Causes==
==Causes==
 
A diabetic coma can occur in people with both [[type 1 diabetes]] and [[type 2 diabetes]]. The main causes include:
Diabetic coma can be caused by three major conditions related to diabetes: [[diabetic ketoacidosis]], [[hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state]], and [[hypoglycemia]].
* '''Severe hypoglycemia''': This occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low, often due to excessive insulin administration, insufficient food intake, or excessive physical activity.
 
* '''Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)''': This is more common in type 1 diabetes and occurs when the body starts breaking down fats at an excessive rate, leading to the accumulation of ketones in the blood.
* '''Diabetic ketoacidosis''' (DKA) occurs when the body does not have enough [[insulin]] to allow glucose to enter cells, and so the body breaks down fat for energy. This process produces a buildup of acids in the bloodstream called ketones, leading to DKA if untreated.
* '''Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)''': This is more common in type 2 diabetes and is characterized by extremely high blood sugar levels without the presence of ketones.
* '''Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state''' (HHS) is caused by extremely high blood sugar levels. The body tries to get rid of the excess sugar by passing it into the urine, which can lead to severe dehydration.
* '''Hypoglycemia''' or low blood sugar can occur in people with diabetes who take insulin or other types of diabetes medications that increase insulin levels in the body. Skipping a meal, taking too much diabetes medication or insulin, exercising harder than usual, or drinking alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia.
 
==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==
 
The symptoms leading up to a diabetic coma vary depending on whether the blood sugar is too high or too low.
The symptoms of a diabetic coma can vary depending on whether the blood sugar level is too high or too low.
===Symptoms of Hyperglycemia===
 
* Increased thirst
* High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can lead to:
* Frequent urination
** Thirst
* Fatigue
** Frequent urination
* Nausea and vomiting
** Fatigue
* Shortness of breath
** Nausea and vomiting
* Stomach pain
** Shortness of breath
* Fruity-scented breath
** Stomach pain
===Symptoms of Hypoglycemia===
** Fruity breath odor
* Shakiness
** A very dry mouth
* Sweating
 
* Hunger
* Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to:
* Irritability
** Shakiness or nervousness
* Confusion
** Fatigue
* Dizziness
** Sweating
* Weakness
** Hunger
==Diagnosis==
** Irritability
Diagnosis of a diabetic coma involves:
** Dizziness or light-headedness
* Checking blood sugar levels
** Sleepiness
* Testing for ketones in the blood or urine
** Confusion
* Assessing the patient's medical history and symptoms
** Difficulty speaking
==Treatment==
** Anxiety
The treatment for a diabetic coma depends on whether the cause is hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
** Weakness
===Treatment for Hyperglycemia===
 
* Intravenous fluids to restore hydration
* Insulin therapy to lower blood sugar levels
* Electrolyte replacement
===Treatment for Hypoglycemia===
* Administration of glucose, either orally or intravenously
* Glucagon injection if the patient is unable to take glucose orally
==Prevention==
==Prevention==
 
Preventing a diabetic coma involves careful management of diabetes:
Preventing a diabetic coma involves managing diabetes effectively. This includes:
* Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels
 
* Adhering to a diabetes management plan
* Regularly monitoring blood sugar levels
* Recognizing early symptoms of high or low blood sugar
* Taking diabetes medications as prescribed
* Educating family and friends about diabetes emergencies
* Following a healthy diet
==See also==
* Regular physical activity
* [[Diabetes mellitus]]
* Regular medical check-ups
* [[Type 1 diabetes]]
 
* [[Type 2 diabetes]]
==Treatment==
* [[Diabetic ketoacidosis]]
 
* [[Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state]]
Treatment for diabetic coma depends on whether the blood sugar level is too high or too low. For high blood sugar, emergency treatment includes fluids given through a vein (intravenous) and insulin. For low blood sugar, treatment involves consuming a fast-acting source of sugar, such as juice or glucose tablets.
 
[[Category:Diabetes]]
[[Category:Diabetes]]
[[Category:Medical emergencies]]
[[Category:Medical emergencies]]
[[Category:Endocrine diseases]]
{{stub}}

Latest revision as of 18:37, 5 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Diabetic coma
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Unconsciousness, confusion, dehydration, rapid breathing, fruity breath odor
Complications Brain damage, death
Onset Sudden
Duration Variable
Types Diabetic ketoacidosis, Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, Hypoglycemia
Causes Diabetes mellitus
Risks Poorly controlled blood sugar, infection, stress, alcohol consumption
Diagnosis Blood glucose test, urinalysis, arterial blood gas
Differential diagnosis Stroke, seizure, drug overdose
Prevention Proper diabetes management, regular blood sugar monitoring
Treatment Intravenous fluids, insulin therapy, electrolyte replacement
Medication N/A
Prognosis Variable, depends on promptness of treatment
Frequency Common in poorly controlled diabetes
Deaths N/A


A diabetic coma is a life-threatening diabetes complication that causes unconsciousness. If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma. If left untreated, a diabetic coma can be fatal.

Causes[edit]

A diabetic coma can occur in people with both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The main causes include:

  • Severe hypoglycemia: This occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low, often due to excessive insulin administration, insufficient food intake, or excessive physical activity.
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): This is more common in type 1 diabetes and occurs when the body starts breaking down fats at an excessive rate, leading to the accumulation of ketones in the blood.
  • Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS): This is more common in type 2 diabetes and is characterized by extremely high blood sugar levels without the presence of ketones.

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms leading up to a diabetic coma vary depending on whether the blood sugar is too high or too low.

Symptoms of Hyperglycemia[edit]

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stomach pain
  • Fruity-scented breath

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia[edit]

  • Shakiness
  • Sweating
  • Hunger
  • Irritability
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of a diabetic coma involves:

  • Checking blood sugar levels
  • Testing for ketones in the blood or urine
  • Assessing the patient's medical history and symptoms

Treatment[edit]

The treatment for a diabetic coma depends on whether the cause is hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.

Treatment for Hyperglycemia[edit]

  • Intravenous fluids to restore hydration
  • Insulin therapy to lower blood sugar levels
  • Electrolyte replacement

Treatment for Hypoglycemia[edit]

  • Administration of glucose, either orally or intravenously
  • Glucagon injection if the patient is unable to take glucose orally

Prevention[edit]

Preventing a diabetic coma involves careful management of diabetes:

  • Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels
  • Adhering to a diabetes management plan
  • Recognizing early symptoms of high or low blood sugar
  • Educating family and friends about diabetes emergencies

See also[edit]

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