Diabetic coma is...

A diabetic coma is a dangerous side effect of diabetes that makes you pass out. In people who have diabetes, having dangerously high or low blood sugar (hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia) can cause them to pass out.

As long as you're alive, you can't wake up or respond purposefully to sights, sounds, or other types of stimulation. A diabetic coma can be fatal if it isn't taken care of.

As scary as it sounds, you can take steps to make sure that doesn't happen. When you first start taking care of your diabetes, make sure you follow your treatment plan,

Symptoms

Before you go into a diabetic coma, you'll usually show signs and symptoms of high blood sugar or low blood sugar, like thirst and hunger.

Blood sugar is too high (hyperglycemia)

high blood sugar can cause:

A lot more thirst.

A lot of urination

Tiredness

There was sickness, and there was vomiting,

When you don't have enough air to breathe,

In this case, the pain is in the stomach.

Fruity breath can be smelled.

Dry mouth

The heart beats quickly.

People with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

low blood sugar can cause:

shakes and nervousness

There is a lot of stress.

Tiredness

weaknesses

I was getting hot and sweaty.

Cravings

Vomiting

Lightheadedness, or feeling dizzy.

People have a hard time talking.

Perplexity

Some people, especially those who have diabetes for a long time, have a condition called hypoglycemia unawareness. They won't be able to tell when their blood sugar is low because they won't be able to see or hear the warning signs.

If you have any symptoms of high or low blood sugar, you should check your blood sugar and follow your diabetes treatment plan based on the results of the test. If you don't start to feel better soon, or if you start to feel worse, call for help.

Before going to the doctor:

When someone has diabetes, they go into a coma. To get help if you feel like you're going to faint because of high or low blood sugar, call 911. If you're with someone who has diabetes and has passed out, call for help. Make sure to tell the emergency workers that the person has diabetes, and that you're with them at the time.

Causes

There are a lot of things that can happen if your blood sugar stays too high or low for too long. All of these things can lead to a diabetic coma.

It's called diabetic ketoacidosis, and it can happen to anyone who has diabetes. If your muscle cells don't get enough energy, your body may break down fat stores in order to get more energy. This process makes acids that are bad for you called ketones. It's called diabetic ketoacidosis if you have ketones in your blood or urine and a lot of sugar in your blood. It can lead to a diabetic coma if it isn't taken care of.

Diabetes ketoacidosis is most common in people who have type 1 diabetes, but it can happen in people who have type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes.

Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome, or DHS. This happens when your blood sugar level goes above 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 33.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). This is called diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.

People who have a lot of sugar in their blood turn their blood into syrup. The extra sugar in your blood goes into your urine, which starts a process that filters out a lot of water from your body. Left untreated, this can lead to dangerous dehydration and a diabetic coma that could kill you. People with diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome can go into a coma in 25 to 50 percent of the time. Hypoglycemia. Your brain needs glucose to work. There are times when you may pass out because your blood sugar is low. It can happen if you have too much insulin or not enough food. People who exercise too hard or drink too much alcohol can have the same effect.

Risks are things that could happen.

Everyone who has diabetes is at risk of going into a diabetic coma, but the following things can make it more likely:

It's hard to get insulin to your body As a person who has an insulin pump, you need to check your blood sugar often. It can stop if the pump doesn't work, or if the tubing (catheter) is twisted or falls out of the way. A lack of insulin can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, which is when your body doesn't make enough insulin.

Getting sick, hurt, or having surgery. When you're sick or hurt, your blood sugar levels tend to go up a lot. If you have type 1 diabetes and don't raise your insulin dose to compensate, this could lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which can kill you.

Congestive heart failure or kidney disease can also make you more likely to get diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.

diabetes that is not being properly controlled If you don't keep an eye on your blood sugar or take your medications as directed, you'll be more likely to have long-term problems and go into a diabetic coma.

Making a deliberate choice not to eat food or take insulin. Sometimes, people who have diabetes and an eating disorder choose not to use their insulin the way it's supposed to in order to lose weight, but this can be dangerous. This is a very dangerous, life-threatening thing to do. It increases the risk of a diabetic coma.