What Do You Do If You Have A Diabetic Coma?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Intravenous fluids to restore water to your tissues.
  2. Potassium, sodium or phosphate supplements to help your cells function correctly.
  3. Insulin to help your tissues absorb the glucose in your blood.
  4. Treatment for any underlying infections.

Can a person recover from a diabetic coma?

The person will start to recover quickly after treatment starts.

Most people make a full recovery

. However, if they do not receive treatment soon after entering the coma, there may be long-term effects, for example, a risk of irreversible brain damage. Without treatment, the coma can be fatal.

What is treatment for diabetic coma?

Comas that result from HHS are characterized by severe dehydration and very high blood glucose. Treatment includes

rapid administration of insulin

to bring down blood sugar levels and correction of dehydration using intravenous fluids. Fluids should be given at least 30 to 60 minutes before insulin.

How long does a diabetic coma last?

Diabetic ketoacidosis, if it progresses and worsens without treatment, can eventually cause unconsciousness, from a combination of a very high blood sugar level, dehydration and shock, and exhaustion. Coma only occurs at an advanced stage, usually after

36 hours or more

of worsening vomiting and hyperventilation.

What are the signs of a diabetic coma?

  • Increased thirst.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Fatigue.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Fruity breath odor.
  • A very dry mouth.

At what sugar level is diabetic coma?

A diabetic coma could happen when your blood sugar gets

too high — 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)

or more — causing you to become very dehydrated. It usually affects people with type 2 diabetes that isn’t well-controlled.

Is dying from a diabetic coma painful?

Symptoms include sunken eyes, rapid breathing, headache, muscle aches, severe dehydration, weak peripheral pulses, nausea, stomach pain and cramping, vomiting, semi or unconsciousness, cerebral edema, coma and death. DKA is a horrendously

painful way to die

.

At what sugar level should I go to the hospital?

According to the University of Michigan, blood sugar levels of

300 mg/dL or more

can be dangerous. They recommend calling a doctor if you have two readings in a row of 300 or more.

How low can your blood sugar go before you go into a coma?

Anytime your blood sugar drops

below 50 mg/dL

, you should act whether you have symptoms or not. If your blood sugar level drops very low (usually below 20 mg/dL), you may lose consciousness or have a seizure.

Do you wake up from a diabetic coma?

What Is a Diabetic Coma? This means you lose consciousness when your sugar gets very low, as in hypoglycemia, or very high, called hyperglycemia. You are alive in a diabetic coma, but

you can’t wake up or respond to sights, sounds, or other stimulation

.

How long can you live with diabetic ketoacidosis?

Mortality after intensive care unit admission was 8% at 30 days, 18% at one year, and

35% at five years

. A total of 349 patients survived their first intensive care unit diabetic ketoacidosis admission [mean (SD) age 42.5 (18.1) years; 50.4% women; 46.1% required ≥1 organ support].

How can I reverse diabetes permanently?

Although

there’s no cure

for type 2 diabetes, studies show it’s possible for some people to reverse it. Through diet changes and weight loss, you may be able to reach and hold normal blood sugar levels without medication. This doesn’t mean you’re completely cured. Type 2 diabetes is an ongoing disease.

What is a diabetic shock?

Severe hypoglycemia, or insulin shock, is

a serious health risk for anyone with diabetes

. Also called insulin reaction, bcause of too much insulin, it can occur anytime there is an imbalance between the insulin in your system, the amount of food you eat, or your level of physical activity.

How many hours should a diabetic sleep?

To keep your blood sugar in balance, try to get

at least 7 hours of sleep each night

. If you work at night or have rotating shifts: Try to maintain regular meal and sleep times, even on your days off, if you can.

What should I eat if my sugar is high?

  • Whole wheat bread.
  • Fruits.
  • Sweet potatoes and yams.
  • Oatmeal and oat bran.
  • Nuts.
  • Legumes.
  • Garlic.
  • Cold-water fish.

How long can a diabetic go without food?

Some people fast for several days or even weeks at a time — for example, for religious reasons. But not eating for

more than 24 hours

when you have diabetes can be dangerous.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.