Diabetic coma: Difference between revisions
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{{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}} | {{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. | 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: | 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. | * '''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)''': 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. | * '''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== | ==Symptoms== | ||
The symptoms leading up to a diabetic coma vary depending on whether the blood sugar is too high or too low. | The symptoms leading up to a diabetic coma vary depending on whether the blood sugar is too high or too low. | ||
===Symptoms of Hyperglycemia=== | ===Symptoms of Hyperglycemia=== | ||
* Increased thirst | * Increased thirst | ||
| Line 23: | Line 36: | ||
* Stomach pain | * Stomach pain | ||
* Fruity-scented breath | * Fruity-scented breath | ||
===Symptoms of Hypoglycemia=== | ===Symptoms of Hypoglycemia=== | ||
* Shakiness | * Shakiness | ||
| Line 32: | Line 44: | ||
* Dizziness | * Dizziness | ||
* Weakness | * Weakness | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis of a diabetic coma involves: | Diagnosis of a diabetic coma involves: | ||
* Checking blood sugar levels | * Checking blood sugar levels | ||
* Testing for ketones in the blood or urine | * Testing for ketones in the blood or urine | ||
* Assessing the patient's medical history and symptoms | * Assessing the patient's medical history and symptoms | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
The treatment for a diabetic coma depends on whether the cause is hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. | The treatment for a diabetic coma depends on whether the cause is hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. | ||
===Treatment for Hyperglycemia=== | ===Treatment for Hyperglycemia=== | ||
* Intravenous fluids to restore hydration | * Intravenous fluids to restore hydration | ||
* Insulin therapy to lower blood sugar levels | * Insulin therapy to lower blood sugar levels | ||
* Electrolyte replacement | * Electrolyte replacement | ||
===Treatment for Hypoglycemia=== | ===Treatment for Hypoglycemia=== | ||
* Administration of glucose, either orally or intravenously | * Administration of glucose, either orally or intravenously | ||
* Glucagon injection if the patient is unable to take glucose orally | * 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 careful management of diabetes: | ||
* Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels | * Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels | ||
* Adhering to a diabetes management plan | * Adhering to a diabetes management plan | ||
* Recognizing early symptoms of high or low blood sugar | * Recognizing early symptoms of high or low blood sugar | ||
* Educating family and friends about diabetes emergencies | * Educating family and friends about diabetes emergencies | ||
==See also== | |||
== | |||
* [[Diabetes mellitus]] | * [[Diabetes mellitus]] | ||
* [[Type 1 diabetes]] | * [[Type 1 diabetes]] | ||
| Line 66: | Line 70: | ||
* [[Diabetic ketoacidosis]] | * [[Diabetic ketoacidosis]] | ||
* [[Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state]] | * [[Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state]] | ||
[[Category:Diabetes]] | [[Category:Diabetes]] | ||
[[Category:Medical emergencies]] | [[Category:Medical emergencies]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:37, 5 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| 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
