Acute Complications of Diabetes


Hello dear readers! It’s no secret that diabetes affects all aspects of a person’s life. We diabetics must always follow the correct diet, the level of physical activity, check the blood sugar level several times a day …

Not all patients can withstand such a rhythm of life, and many of us are simply slightly restricted in food in order to feel like an “ordinary person”. And this is where they fall into the trap of complications of diabetes.

Poor compensation of the disease leads to the fact that a person loses the ability to walk and see well, think sensibly and counts every milliliter of urine excreted by the body. After reading the article, you will find out what complications of diabetes are possible and get recommendations for their prevention.


Acute complications

Acute — develop rapidly: in a matter of hours or days. They can be fatal, so it is very important to provide timely qualified assistance. They are also called early complications of diabetes.

There are a number of acute complications, each with distinct causes and symptoms.

Ketoacidosis is a condition where the body is unable to produce the required amount of insulin and is accompanied by an increase in blood sugar and an increase in ketone bodies.

Ketoacidosis develops very quickly and can cause serious harm to the body.

This complication most often occurs in type 1 diabetes. And it develops for the following reasons:

  • if the patient independently stopped using medications prescribed by the doctor;
  • after a long interval between doses of insulin or sugar-reducing tablets;
  • with exacerbation of any chronic disease;
  • insufficient dosage of insulin;
  • in case of shock;
  • any operation;
  • sepsis.

Stages of ketoacidosis:

  • Ketosis It is accompanied by dry skin, intense thirst, increased drowsiness and weakness. Headache appears. Appetite disappears. The person starts to run to the bathroom often.
  • Ketoacidosis There is a smell of acetone from the mouth, absent-mindedness. The patient may respond inappropriately, it seems that he is sleeping on the go. A decrease in pressure is observed. Vomiting is possible. The frequency of urination decreases.
  • Precoma. The patient is problematic to wake up, while he vomits red-brown masses. Breathing becomes rapid and noisy, and a blush appears on the cheeks.
  • Coma. Complete loss of consciousness. The skin is pale, only on the cheeks can you notice a blush. Diagnosis is based on noisy breathing and the smell of acetone from the mouth.

Without qualified help, ketoacidosis leads to cerebral edema and death of the patient.