Diabetic coma can you die

A diabetic coma can affect a person with diabetes when they have high or low levels of blood sugar or other substances in the body. With prompt treatment, a rapid recovery is possible. It can happen to a person with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. One reason is having low levels of blood sugar. Other causes are ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. 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. In our often hectic, fast paced lives, take a moment to consider the countless ways you can provide support to someone.

Learn more about DKA in diagnosis and management. Board of Directors. The Team. Leadership Council. Join Us. Type 1 Info. Type 2 Info. Diabetes Management. Newly Diagnosed. Forms Of Diabetes. Autoimmune Diseases. Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes News. Diabetes and Exercise.

Mental Health. Food and Diabetes. School Resources. Previously Healthy. Beyond Type 1 App. DKA Campaign. Diabetes Scholars. Jesse Was Here. Bernstein, who is also past president of the American Diabetes Association. In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis might be the first sign you even have type 1 diabetes. Initial diabetic ketoacidosis signs are usually feeling excessively thirsty , having to urinate frequently, and having a dry mouth.

Later diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, pain in your abdomen, trouble breathing, confusion or having a hard time concentrating, not wanting to eat, weakness, and a fruity smell on your breath. They come in with acetone [a type of ketone] on their breath, which may give off the smell of a rotten apple.

Blood tests can reveal that people with diabetic ketoacidosis also have high blood sugar levels and high levels of ketones in their blood. Diabetic ketoacidosis treatment consists of giving insulin and IV fluids and monitoring electrolyte levels. Although the biochemical estimation of the glucose and ketone levels in post-mortem body fluids was recognized as being unreliable, many of these values were far elevated in comparison with those of normal individuals.

Thus, we concluded that the cause of death was diabetic ketoacidosis. We also discuss the diagnostic problems of postmortem blood chemistry.