| A coma caused through diabetes is relatively rare | | | | dosage or they are eating foodstuffs high in sugar |
| provided the proper care and monitoring of the the | | | | consistently. |
| condition is followed. This said, it is important to | | | | Typical symptoms of the syndrome are |
| understand how a diabetic coma can occur, what | | | | Excessive urination |
| symptoms to look out for and general guidelines to | | | | Extreme thirst |
| ensure that it does not happen. | | | | If these symptoms are detected early then simply |
| Diabetic comas occur when the blood sugar level is | | | | taking the insulin dosage and changing eating habits |
| extremely low or extremely high. | | | | should bring the problem under control. Drinking lots of |
| Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar can cause a diabetic | | | | water will be necessary but this will not stop the |
| to become unconscious or have a seizure if it | | | | syndrome as it is merely addressing a side-effect of |
| continues for any length of time. A diabetic could | | | | the problem. If the problem isn't detect early then, once |
| become hypoglycemic if they : | | | | again, medical assistance should be sort. |
| Took too much insulin | | | | Diabetic ketoacidosis is a complex complication that |
| Did too much exercise | | | | occurs when the body is starved of energy. This |
| Skipped a meal | | | | causes the body to metabolize fat to produce energy. |
| Took excessive alcohol without food | | | | During this process harmful toxins known as ketones |
| Typical early symptoms of hypoglycemia are | | | | are produced by the liver. Ketones cause the blood to |
| Tiredness | | | | become acidic and blood that has a ph level of 6.8 is |
| Weakness or shaky on your feet | | | | said to be incompatible with life. Thus as the blood |
| Palpitations | | | | becomes more acidic the person will become more |
| Disorientated or confused | | | | drowsy and eventually become unconscious. |
| Hungry | | | | Typically people that forget or miss their insulin |
| Sweating | | | | injections are prone to develop this problem. Another |
| Depending on how pronounced the symptoms are | | | | instance when this occurs is undiagnosed diabetics |
| would determine the treatment. If the symptoms are | | | | who are unaware of the condition and therefore do |
| relatively mild you can take a blood test and identify | | | | not take insulin. |
| that the blood sugar level is low and then take a | | | | Common symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include |
| glucose tablet or something similar. If the symptoms | | | | A 'fruity' breath - a strong and sweet smelling breath. |
| are severe then you should seek medical assistance | | | | Lethargy and drowsinessexcessive urination and |
| immediately. | | | | thirstnauseous and stomach upsetsdiabetic |
| Hypersmolar diabetic syndrome is when the blood | | | | ketoacidosis will cause the sufferer to go into a coma |
| sugar level gets extremely high. The level of sugar | | | | if left untreated. It is important to seek medical help if |
| causes the blood to change consistency and become | | | | you think that you have symptoms of this condition. |
| thicker and syrupy. Excessive sugar in the blood | | | | Most unconsciousness, due to diabetes, can be |
| causes the kidneys to try to remove it as a waste | | | | prevented through diligent administering of your diabetic |
| product. It does this through excessive urination. This | | | | treatment. This will be discussed with you by your |
| can lead to dehydration which if prolonged can lead to | | | | doctor or health professional. As you get used to |
| unconsciousness and coma. | | | | diabetes it will become second nature to care for it. |
| Hypersmolar diabetic syndrome is normally caused | | | | You will also become more aware of the changes in |
| because the person has not taken their normal insulin | | | | your body and will be more responsive to act. |