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Diabetic coma was a more significant diagnostic problem before the late 1970s, when glucose meters and rapid blood chemistry analyzers were not available in all hospitals. In modern medical practice, it rarely takes more than a few questions, a quick look, and a glucose meter to determine the cause of unconsciousness in a patient with diabetes.
The symptoms of an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis usually evolve over a period of about 24 hours. Predominant symptoms are nausea and vomiting, pronounced thirst, excessive urine production and abdominal pain that may be severe. [13] [14] In severe DKA, breathing becomes rapid and of a deep, gasping character, called "Kussmaul breathing".
Upon recognizing the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia in a diabetic, a blood sugar level should first be measured using a glucose meter. [1] If blood glucose is below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), treatment will depend on whether the person is conscious and can swallow safely.
Diabetic hypoglycemia can be mild, recognized easily by the patient, and reversed with a small amount of carbohydrates eaten or drunk, or it may be severe enough to cause unconsciousness requiring intravenous dextrose or an injection of glucagon. Severe hypoglycemic unconsciousness is one form of diabetic coma. A common medical definition of ...
Stupor, coma, abnormal breathing; Generalized or focal seizures; Plasma glucose 20 mg/dL (1.1 mmol/L) or lower [4] [5] [6] Not all of the above manifestations occur in every case of hypoglycemia. There is no consistent order to the appearance of the symptoms. Specific manifestations vary by age and by the severity of the hypoglycemia.
Diabetic coma is a medical emergency in which a person with diabetes mellitus is comatose (unconscious) because of one of the acute complications of diabetes: [24] [25] Severe diabetic hypoglycemia Diabetic ketoacidosis advanced enough to result in unconsciousness from a combination of severe hyperglycemia , dehydration and shock , and exhaustion
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The main risk factor is a history of diabetes mellitus type 2. [4] Occasionally it may occur in those without a prior history of diabetes or those with diabetes mellitus type 1. [3] [4] Triggers include infections, stroke, trauma, certain medications, and heart attacks. [4] Other risk factors: Lack of sufficient insulin (but enough to prevent ...