a diabetic coma happens when the patients have severe quizlet

a diabetic coma happens when the patients have severe quizlet

What is a diabetic coma and what causes it to occur quizlet?

A diabetic coma occurs when blood sugar levels become either too low or too high. The cells in your body require glucose to function. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can make you dehydrated which can cause you to lose consciousness.

Which condition is most likely to occur from a diabetic coma?

Untreated or unresponsive low blood sugars can lead to severe hypoglycemia. This is the most common cause of diabetic coma. You should take extra precautions if you have difficulty detecting symptoms of hypoglycemia. This diabetes phenomenon is known as hypoglycemia unawareness.

What happens before a diabetic coma?

The severe symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar that can come before a diabetic coma include vomiting, difficulty breathing, confusion, weakness, and dizziness.

How does diabetic ketoacidosis cause coma?

Diabetic ketoacidosis coma This type of coma is triggered by the build-up of chemicals called ketones. Ketones are strongly acidic and cause the blood to become too acidic. When there is not enough insulin circulating, the body cannot use glucose for energy.

What is the difference between insulin shock and diabetic coma?

Insulin shock means you have very low blood sugar levels. Diabetic coma is when you pass out due to either high or low blood sugar. These two diabetic emergencies can happen if you don’t keep your glucose and insulin levels under control.

How long does a diabetic coma last?

If it progresses and worsens without treatment it 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.

Can a diabetic coma cause brain damage?

A diabetic coma results from either very high or very low blood glucose levels. This is a life-threatening complication which causes the patient to fall into a state of unconsciousness. The coma is reversible if treated immediately, but if left untreated they may receive permanent brain damage or potentially die.

What happens in diabetic shock?

When a person experiences diabetic shock, or severe hypoglycemia, they may lose consciousness, have trouble speaking, and experience double vision. Early treatment is essential because blood sugar levels that stay low for too long can lead to seizures or diabetic coma.

What happens when you go into insulin shock?

What causes insulin shock? Having too much insulin in your blood can lead to having too little glucose. If your blood sugar falls too low, your body no longer has enough fuel to carry out its regular functions. In insulin shock, your body becomes so starved for fuel that it begins to shut down.

How low does your sugar have to be to 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.

How is hypoglycemia coma treated?

Treatment of the comatose patient consists of glucose gel smeared inside the mouth, intramuscular glucagon (1 mg) or intravenous glucose. It is important to avoid giving excess intravenous glucose, particularly in young children in whom the osmotic effects of resultant hyperglycemia can result in cerebral damage.

How can you tell the difference between hypoglycemic coma and hyperglycemic coma?

Hypoglycemia is abnormally low levels of blood glucose (lower than 70 milligrams per deciliter). Hyperglycemia is abnormally high levels of blood glucose (fasting plasma glucose ≥126 milligrams per deciliter on two separate tests). Hypoglycemia can cause confusion, seizures, coma, and even death.

What happens when a diabetic takes too much insulin?

Excess insulin in the bloodstream causes cells in your body to absorb too much glucose (sugar) from your blood. It also causes the liver to release less glucose. These two effects together create dangerously low glucose levels in your blood. This condition is called hypoglycemia.

What does end stage diabetes look like?

Look for these signs of high blood sugar: Excessive thirst and increased urination. Unusual infections. Unexpected feelings of tiredness.

Can someone wake up from coma?

People who do wake up from a coma usually come round gradually. They may be very agitated and confused to begin with. Some people will make a full recovery and be completely unaffected by the coma. Others will have disabilities caused by the damage to their brain.

What happens when your blood sugar drops to 30?

If your blood sugar drops below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), you may have symptoms, such as feeling tired, weak, or shaky. If your blood sugar drops very low (usually below 20 mg/dL) and you do not get help, you could become confused or drowsy or even lose consciousness and possibly die.

What happens during a diabetic seizure?

A diabetic seizure occurs when the sugar levels in the blood are extremely low (below 30 mg/dL). The brain needs glucose to function properly. When there is a drop in blood sugar, the actions of the neurons in the brain decrease and the person experiences a seizure.

What is hyperosmolar coma?

Hyperosmolar coma is also referred to as hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS) or nonketotic hyperglycemic syndrome. It is characterized by severe hyperglycemia, hyperosmolality, and dehydration in the absence of significant ketoacidosis. Hyperosmolar coma and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are hyperglycemic crises.

What are the chances of surviving a coma?

Within six hours of coma onset those patients who show eye opening have almost a one in five chance of achieving a good recovery whereas those who do not have a one in 10 chance. Those who show no motor response have a 3% chance of making a good recovery whereas those who show flexion have a better than 15% chance.

What happens when a diabetic doesn’t take insulin?

Without insulin, your body will break down its own fat and muscle, resulting in weight loss. This can lead to a serious short-term condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. This is when the bloodstream becomes acidic, you develop dangerous levels of ketones in your blood stream and become severely dehydrated.