a patient in a diabetic coma needs

a patient in a diabetic coma needs

How do you recover from diabetic coma?

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. Hypoglycemic diabetic coma: Treatment is with glucose and injected glucagon. Hyperglycemic diabetic coma: The doctor will provide hydration and insulin.

What is the treatment for a hypoglycemic coma?

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.

What happens during diabetic coma?

In a diabetic coma, you are unconscious and unable to respond to your environment. You are either suffering from high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) or low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). You need immediate medical attention if you go into a diabetic coma.

How long can 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 someone survive a diabetic coma?

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.

What is a hypoglycemic coma how why Under what circumstances does a diabetic fall into this type of coma?

For people with type 2, a diabetic coma may be caused by either hypoglycemia or very high blood sugar, called diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. That’s when your body tries to get rid of extra sugar by passing it into your urine. Over days or weeks, this can cause life-threatening dehydration and, eventually, a coma.

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.

How does diabetic coma cause death?

Severely high blood sugar turns your blood 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, this can lead to life-threatening dehydration and a diabetic coma.

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. It’s common among those who are elderly, chronically ill, and disabled.

When should a diabetic go to 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.

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 is diabetic stroke?

How does diabetes cause stroke? Diabetes prevents your body from processing food properly. Your body can’t make insulin or can’t use insulin correctly, which causes glucose (sugar) to build up in your blood. Over time, high glucose levels can damage the body’s blood vessels, increasing the chance of stroke.

What are signs of coma patient waking up?

Signs of coming out of a coma include being able to keep their eyes open for longer and longer periods of time and being awakened from “sleep” easier—at first by pain (pinch), then by touch (like gently shaking of their shoulder), and finally by sound (calling their name).

Can you survive a coma without life support?

People in comas are looked after in an intensive care unit and may often require full life support until their situation improves.

What part of the brain is damaged in a coma?

Comas are caused by damage to the brain, specifically the diffused bilateral cerebral hemisphere cortexor the reticular activating system. This area of the brain controls arousal and awareness. Damage here can result from many potential factors.

How is hypoglycemia treated in emergency?

IV dextrose is the best treatment for inpatients and for patients found by emergency medical services personnel. IV dextrose is available in different concentrations. Concentrated IV dextrose 50% (D50W) is most appropriate for severe hypoglycemia, providing 25 g of dextrose in a standard 50-mL bag.

How do you treat diabetic shock?

Doctors may prescribe a hormone called glucagon to people who are at risk of diabetic shock. Glucagon comes in a syringe, and a person can use it in an emergency to help their blood glucose levels return to normal.

What is the difference between diabetic coma and hyperglycemic shock?

Insulin shock and diabetic coma are two terms that just don’t make sense. Insulin shock refers to the body’s reaction to too little sugar – hypoglycemia – often caused by too much insulin. Diabetic coma refers to a victim of high blood sugar – hyperglycemia – who becomes confused or unconscious.

What happens if a diabetic doesn’t take their 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.

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.