Diabetic coma is a life-threatening complication of diabetes that can cause permanent brain damage or death. It can be caused by high or low blood sugar levels and can be prevented by proactive measures such as monitoring blood sugar levels and adhering to treatment regimens. Treatment depends on the individual’s sugar level and can include glucagon injections or intravenous fluids and insulin. Complications include brain damage and death, and risk factors include poor diabetes management, recent surgery or illness, alcohol consumption, and drug use.
A loss of consciousness can be a life-threatening complication of diabetes known as a diabetic coma. Individuals in a diabetic coma are unaware of their surroundings and do not respond to stimuli. If symptoms are ignored, this preventable condition can cause permanent brain damage or death. Proactive measures are needed to prevent the onset of a diabetic coma.
Individuals who experience blood sugar levels that are too high or low for extended periods of time can develop conditions that could lead to coma. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a condition that occurs due to an absence or insufficient supply of insulin, which forces the body to burn fat and create ketones which subsequently build up in the body. Hypoglycemia results from excessively low blood sugar levels caused by eating not enough food or having too much insulin. Hyperosmolar syndrome is a diabetic condition that results from excessively high blood sugar levels, causing the blood to take on a thick consistency. Individuals with hyperosmolar syndrome can easily become dehydrated as excess sugar can trigger excessive urination, thus forcing the body to filter out immense amounts of fluid.
Signs of glycemic extremes usually occur before the coma begins. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can make an individual shaky, moody, or confused. He or she may also have symptoms which can include nausea, fatigue and an elevated heart rate. Excessively high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, can present in ways similar to hypoglycemia. Individuals may experience additional symptoms which may include excessive thirst, frequent urination, and their breath may take on a sweet or fruity odor.
Timely diagnosis is essential to managing this condition, which is considered a medical emergency. In most cases, an emergency medical technician (EMT) may be called to assess the individual’s condition and administer appropriate treatment to stabilize them. Subsequent laboratory tests, used to evaluate blood sugar, creatinine and ketone levels, may be ordered to further evaluate the individual’s condition. Further tests may be conducted to check your levels of potassium, sodium and phosphate, which the body uses to promote healthy cell function.
Treatment for a diabetic coma depends on whether the person’s sugar level is too low or too high. Low blood sugar levels can be stabilized with the administration of an injection of glucagon, which works by rapidly increasing the level of sugar in the body. Individuals with excessively high sugar levels may be given intravenous fluids, insulin, and supplements to stabilize their condition. Consciousness can return once an individual’s sugar level stabilizes.
Complications associated with this condition include permanent brain damage and death. Individuals with type one or two diabetes have a higher risk of developing a coma. Additional factors that could contribute to this condition may include recent surgery or illness, alcohol consumption, and use of illegal drugs. Those who don’t manage their diabetes properly by not controlling their sugar levels or not taking their insulin as prescribed are at a high risk of slipping into a diabetic coma. Proactive measures to reduce your risk include adhering to your established treatment regimen, regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels, and taking all medications as directed by a doctor.
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