Diabetic coma how long can they last

People with diabetes have a higher risk of these conditions. The severe symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar that can come before a diabetic coma include vomiting, difficulty breathing, confusion, weakness, and dizziness. A doctor can reverse a diabetic coma quickly, but the treatment depends on the type. They must do this as quickly as possible to prevent complications.

Hyperglycemic diabetic coma : The doctor will provide hydration and insulin. 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. Even if a diabetic coma does not occur, the long-term impact of having blood sugar levels that are often too low or too high can be damaging.

There are three main causes of diabetic coma. Two causes are most often associated with type 1 diabetes , and one is most often associated with type 2 diabetes. According to a study published in Diabetes , a person with type 1 diabetes will experience symptoms of hypoglycemia twice a week on average.

People with type 2 diabetes who use insulin are less likely to experience hypoglycemia, but it can still happen. Hypoglycemia usually only occurs in people who are receiving treatment with insulin, but it can occur with oral medications that increase insulin levels in the body. Eating or drinking a source of glucose will bring blood glucose levels back into the healthy range, and the person will feel better almost immediately. If the person does not notice or act on the symptoms and the glucose levels continue to decrease, they will become unconscious.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes that arises when levels of ketones in the blood become too high and the acid level of the blood increases. It can also result in a diabetic coma. The levels of ketones in the blood can become too high if an individual is using fat rather than sugar as an energy source.

This occurs in people with type 1 diabetes for a variety of reasons, including not receiving enough insulin or illness. People with diabetic ketoacidosis will also have high levels of glucose in their blood since the sugar cannot go from the blood and into the cells. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website.

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Contact Us. Help Us Understand You Better. A blood test would also reveal higher levels of glucose in your bloodstream. A urine test can also show that your glucose levels are too high. DKA causes high levels of blood glucose. The symptoms also include increased thirst and a frequent need to urinate.

Other symptoms of elevated ketone levels include:. A diabetic coma is a medical emergency. Treating hyperglycemia requires intravenous fluids to improve fluid levels throughout your body.

You may also receive insulin to help your cells absorb the extra circulating glucose. If your sodium, potassium, or phosphate levels are low, you may get supplements to help bring them up to healthy levels. The treatment will be similar for DKA. Once your blood glucose levels are in a healthy range, you should start to feel better almost immediately. If the symptoms occurred for a while before treatment or if you were in a diabetic coma for several hours or longer, you could experience some brain damage.

An untreated diabetic coma may also result in death. People who receive emergency treatment for a diabetic coma usually recover fully. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a medical identification bracelet that explains the nature of your diabetes and other health concerns. This may help ensure you get the proper treatment for future problems quickly.

If you experience a diabetic coma without knowing you have diabetes, your doctor will work with you to develop a diabetes treatment plan.

This will include medications, as well as recommendations for diet and exercise. The key to preventing a diabetic coma is proper blood glucose management. This means taking your insulin and testing your blood glucose and ketones as your doctor recommends. You should also pay close attention to your carbohydrate intake. This is true for people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. They can help you create a diabetes meal plan. You should know what to do if you miss a dose of insulin or other diabetes medication.

Ask your doctor about that, as well as what to do if you start to feel symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Diabetes can affect other parts of your health.