If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma.
If you lapse into a diabetic coma, you're alive — but you can't awaken or respond purposefully to sights, sounds or other types of stimulation. Left untreated, a diabetic coma can be fatal.
The prospect of a diabetic coma is scary, but fortunately you can take steps to help prevent a diabetic coma. Start by following your diabetes treatment plan.
Causes of diabetic coma
Prolonged blood sugar extremes — blood sugar that's either too high or too low for too long — may cause various conditions, all of which can lead to a diabetic coma.-
Diabetic ketoacidosis. If your muscle cells
become starved for energy, your body may respond by breaking down fat
stores. This process forms toxic acids known as ketones. Left untreated,
diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to a diabetic coma.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is most common in people who have type 1 diabetes, but it can also affect people who have type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes.
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Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. If your blood
sugar level tops 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 33.3
millimoles per liter (mmol/L), the condition is known as diabetic
hyperosmolar syndrome.
When your blood sugar gets this high, your blood becomes thick and syrupy. The excess sugar passes from your blood into your urine, which triggers a filtering process that draws tremendous amounts of fluid from your body.
Left untreated, diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome can cause life-threatening dehydration and coma. Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome is most common in middle-aged and older adults who have type 2 diabetes.
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Hypoglycemia. Your brain needs glucose to
function. In severe cases, low blood sugar may cause you to pass out.
Hypoglycemia can be caused by too much insulin or too little food.
Exercising too vigorously or drinking too much alcohol can have the same
effect.
Symptoms are influenced by the severity of the hypoglycemia. With longstanding diabetes, however, you may lose the early warning signs — such as hunger and perspiration — and may only develop symptoms when your blood sugar is dangerously low. This is called hypoglycemia unawareness.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who has diabetes is at risk of a diabetic coma.If you have type 1 diabetes, you're more at risk of a diabetic coma caused by:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome, especially if you're middle-aged or older
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Insulin delivery problems. If you're on an
insulin pump, you have to check your blood sugar frequently, and one of
the reasons for this is that a kink in the insulin pump tubing may stop
all insulin delivery.
Even tubeless pumps can sometimes have problems that cause insulin delivery to stop. A lack of insulin can quickly lead to diabetic ketoacidosis if you have type 1 diabetes.
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An illness, trauma or surgery. When you're sick
or injured, blood sugar levels tend to rise, sometimes dramatically.
This may cause diabetic ketoacidosis if you have type 1 diabetes and
don't increase your insulin intake to compensate.
Other medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure or kidney disease, may increase your risk of diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.
- Poorly managed diabetes. If you don't monitor your blood sugar properly or take your medications as directed, you'll have a higher risk of developing long-term complications and diabetic coma.
- Deliberately skipping insulin. Sometimes, people with diabetes who also have an eating disorder choose not to use their insulin as directed with the hope of losing weight. This is a dangerous, life-threatening practice that increases the risk of diabetic coma.
- Drinking alcohol. Alcohol can have unpredictable effects on your blood sugar, sometimes dropping blood sugar levels as long as a day or two after the alcohol was consumed. This can increase your risk of a diabetic coma caused by hypoglycemia.
- Illegal drug use. Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and Ecstasy, can increase your risk of severe high blood sugar levels, as well as your risk of diabetic coma.
Prevention
Good day-to-day control of your diabetes can help you prevent a diabetic coma. Keep these tips in mind:- Follow your meal plan. Consistent snacks and meals can help you control your blood sugar level.
- Keep an eye on your blood sugar level. Frequent blood sugar tests can tell you whether you're keeping your blood sugar level in your target range — and alert you to dangerous highs or lows. Check more frequently if you've exercised because exercise can cause blood sugar levels to drop, especially if you don't exercise regularly.
- Take your medication as directed. If you have frequent episodes of high or low blood sugar, let your doctor know. He or she may need to adjust the dose or timing of your medication.
- Have a sick-day plan. Illness can elevate blood sugar unexpectedly. Before you get sick, talk with your doctor about how to best manage this increase in your blood sugar.
- Check for ketones when your blood sugar is high. Check your urine for ketones when your blood sugar level is more than 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L). If you have a large amount of ketones or they persist, call your doctor for advice. Call your doctor immediately if you have any level of ketones and are vomiting.
- Have glucagon and fast-acting sources of sugar available. If you take insulin for your diabetes, make sure you have an up-to-date glucagon kit and fast-acting sources of sugar, such as glucose tablets or orange juice, readily available to treat low blood sugar levels.
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Consider a continuous glucose monitor (CGM),
especially if you have trouble maintaining stable blood sugar levels or
you don't feel symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia unawareness).
CGMs are devices that use a small sensor inserted underneath the skin to track trends in your blood sugar levels and transmit the information to a wireless device.
These devices can alert you when your blood sugar is dangerously low. However, you still need to test your blood sugar levels using a blood glucose meter even if you're using a CGM. CGMs are more expensive than conventional glucose monitoring methods, but they may help you control your glucose better.
- Drink alcohol using caution. Because alcohol can have an unpredictable effect on your blood sugar, be sure to have a snack or a meal when you drink, if you choose to drink at all.
- Educate your loved ones, friends and co-workers. Teach loved ones and other close contacts how to recognize early signs and symptoms of blood sugar extremes — and how to summon emergency help should you pass out.
- Wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace. If you're unconscious, the ID can provide valuable information to your loved ones, co-workers and others — including emergency personnel.
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