Coma as a complication of diabetes | Types of coma | Sugar levels | How long does it last | First aid
Greetings, dear readers. Diabetes is a complex disease. More and more people are falling into its grasp. Its complications are especially dangerous: acute and chronic.
This article focuses on an acute complication of diabetes — coma. You will learn what causes a coma in diabetes, its symptoms and consequences. This will help you prevent an extremely life-threatening condition from occurring.
Coma — as a complication of diabetes
All complications that diabetes mellitus entails are divided into acute and chronic.
Acute complications in diabetes mellitus are coma provoked by decompensation of the disease, an overdose of hypoglycemic drugs or an excess of lactate formation.
These conditions develop over several days and even in a matter of hours. They are very dangerous because they can be fatal. Therefore, urgent help is needed.
Types of coma
There are 4 main types of coma. The types of lumps are presented in the table:
| Coma type | The reasons | Signs, consequences |
| Ketoacidotic — the accumulation of metabolic products (fats) in the body — dangerous ketone bodies. | — improper nutrition; — operations; — injuries; — infectious diseases | — increased sugar, — unquenchable thirst, — frequent urination, — the smell of acetone from the mouth, — a constant feeling of hunger, — speech problems, — pressure drop, — loss of consciousness, — violation of all human organs. |
| Hypoglycemic — low blood sugar. | — excessive physical activity; — drinking alcohol; — an incorrectly delivered dose of insulin or an overdose of antihyperglycemic tablets; — stress, anxiety — increased sweating, | — trembling, — impaired consciousness, — loss of orientation, — aggression is possible, — the appearance of seizures, — loss of consciousness, — lack of reaction of pupils to light |
| Hypersmolar — increased sodium and glucose content. | — prolonged dehydration of the body; — stroke; — stress. | — unquenchable thirst; — very frequent urination; — digestive problems; — vomiting; — convulsions; — hallucinations; — fainting. |
| Lactacytodic — accumulation of lactate (lactic acid). | — against the background of renal, hepatic and heart failure | — breathing disorder, — gloomy consciousness, — low pressure, — lack of urination; — muscle pain; — growing weakness; — vomiting. |
Sugar levels in coma
Treatment of acute complications is carried out in the hospital, in the intensive care unit. But it is imperative to provide first aid before an ambulance arrives.
For example, if you notice excessive excitability in yourself or your loved one, inappropriate actions, or strange behavior, then you should offer them to eat candy or drink juice. With hypoglycemia, the patient should feel better. In severe cases of hypoglycemia, an injection of glucagon is necessary.
If a hypoglycemic coma lasts more than 30 minutes, then there is a high probability of cerebral edema.
Lack of treatment within 2 hours as a person fell into a coma, is fraught with death.
Differential diagnosis shows the sugar level in ketoacidosis — up to 22 mmol / l, with hypersmolar coma — up to 35 mmol / l, hypoglycemic — below 2.2 mmol / l.
How long does a diabetic coma last?
Coma can last for hours, days or even years.
But the longer this condition lasts, the higher the likelihood of cerebral edema. After all, glucose is the main source of energy necessary for the work of all organs and systems of the human body. Especially brain cells.
Do they come to their senses after such a state? With timely medical care, the outcome is quite favorable.
But it often happens that people who are in a coma for a long time have difficulty with memory, speech, and coordination of movement.
First aid
What to do? First, you need to measure your blood sugar. If it is elevated, inject insulin, if it is low, eat candy, drink juice or tea with sugar.
If the patient is in an unconscious state, then it is necessary to turn him over on his side so that in case of vomiting he does not choke on his own vomit.
In the case when the patient has removable prostheses, they must be removed to free the oral cavity. Cover the patient to warm the lower limbs. And be sure to call an ambulance.
Do not put off your health for later! Be healthy! Until next time!