Taking medicines for any underlying illness that caused DKA, such as antibiotics for an infection. Keep your blood sugar levels in your target range as much as possible. Take medicines as prescribed, even if you feel fine. Learn More. Learn About DSMES Living With Diabetes 4 Ways To Take Insulin Low Blood Sugar Hypoglycemia.

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International Diabetes Federation. Archived from the original on 5 August Irwin; James M. Rippe Irwin and Rippe's intensive care medicine. ISBN Retrieved 20 November Mayo Clinic. Retrieved UCSF Medical Center. Retrieved 4 October Cleveland Clinic. Classification D. ICD - 10 : E Type 1 Type 2 LADA Gestational diabetes Diabetes and pregnancy Prediabetes Impaired fasting glucose Impaired glucose tolerance Insulin resistance Ketosis-prone diabetes KPD MODY Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 Neonatal Transient Permanent Type 3c pancreatogenic Type 3 MIDD.

Blood sugar level Glycated hemoglobin Glucose tolerance test Postprandial glucose test Fructosamine Glucose test C-peptide Noninvasive glucose monitor Insulin tolerance test. When you're sick or injured, blood sugar levels can change, sometimes significantly, increasing your risk of diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.

Poorly managed diabetes. If you don't monitor your blood sugar properly or take your medications as directed by your health care provider, you have a higher risk of developing long-term health problems and a higher risk of diabetic coma.

Deliberately skipping meals or insulin. Sometimes, people with diabetes who also have an eating disorder choose not to use their insulin as they should, in the hope of losing weight.

This is a dangerous, life-threatening thing to do, and it raises the risk of a diabetic coma. Drinking alcohol. Alcohol can have unpredictable effects on your blood sugar. Alcohol's effects may make it harder for you to know when you're having low blood sugar symptoms.

This can increase your risk of a diabetic coma caused by hypoglycemia. Illegal drug use. Illegal drugs, such as cocaine, can increase your risk of severe high blood sugar and conditions linked to diabetic coma. If it is not treated, a diabetic coma can lead to permanent brain damage and death.

Keep these tips in mind: Follow your meal plan. Consistent snacks and meals can help you control your blood sugar level. Keep an eye on your blood sugar level. Frequent blood sugar tests can tell you whether you're keeping your blood sugar level in your target range.

It also can alert you to dangerous highs or lows. Check more frequently if you've exercised. Exercise can cause blood sugar levels to drop, even hours later, especially if you don't exercise regularly.

Take your medication as directed. If you have frequent episodes of high or low blood sugar, tell your health care provider. You may need to have the dose or the timing of your medication adjusted. Have a sick-day plan. Illness can cause an unexpected change in blood sugar.

If you are sick and unable to eat, your blood sugar may drop. While you are healthy, talk with your doctor about how to best manage your blood sugar levels if you get sick. Consider storing at least a week's worth of diabetes supplies and an extra glucagon kit in case of emergencies.

Check for ketones when your blood sugar is high. If you have a large amount of ketones, call your health care provider for advice. Call your health care provider immediately if you have any level of ketones and are vomiting.

High levels of ketones can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to coma. Have glucagon and fast-acting sources of sugar available. If you take insulin for your diabetes, have an up-to-date glucagon kit and fast-acting sources of sugar, such as glucose tablets or orange juice, readily available to treat low blood sugar levels.

Drink alcohol with caution. Because alcohol can have an unpredictable effect on your blood sugar, have a snack or a meal when you drink alcohol, if you choose to drink at all. Educate your loved ones, friends and co-workers.

Teach loved ones and other close contacts how to recognize the early symptoms of blood sugar extremes and how to give emergency injections. If you pass out, someone should be able to call for emergency help.

Wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace. If you're unconscious, the bracelet or necklace can provide valuable information to your friends, co-workers and emergency personnel.

Continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Aug 11, Show References. American Diabetes Association. Glycemic targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes — Diabetes Care. Cryer PE. Hypoglycemia in adults with diabetes mellitus. Accessed July 11, Tips for emergency preparedness.

Low blood glucose hypoglycemia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Other risk factors include:. Blood sugar levels that occur during a diabetic coma include:. If an individual has symptoms of a diabetic coma, call for emergency medical attention and inform responders that the person has diabetes.

It is also recommended that the individual with diabetes wear a medical identification necklace or bracelet. Treatments for people with diabetes who have high blood sugar include supplements of:.

If there is any type of infection, treatment will be conducted for that as well. If an individual experiences hypoglycemia, treatments include:.

If you are with a person who is going into a diabetic coma, call , make sure they are in a comfortable position, and check their blood sugar.

If you have diabetes, preventative measures can be taken to reduce the risk of diabetic coma, including:. Treatment depends on the type of diabetes as well as any other health conditions. If you or someone you are with has blood sugar levels that are too high or too low and feels as if they are going faint or are extremely dizzy, it is best to call and go to the hospital.

In some instances, a patient can call their healthcare professional, who can tell them the proper steps needed to help them. This is a good topic for discussion during a well visit.

A diabetic coma can be an intense experience for all involved. If you or someone you know has diabetes, it is important to follow the recommendations of your healthcare professional. Do your part to educate yourself the best you can so you can properly manage your condition between healthcare provider visits.

There are a lot of resources that help manage diabetes. Have a discussion with your healthcare provider in regards to finding the right resources, treatments, and support groups. Cleveland Clinic. Diabetic coma. High blood sugar hyperglycemia high blood sugar.

Diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. Hillson R. Dizziness in diabetes. Practical Diabetes. By Yvelette Stines Yvelette Stines, MS, MEd, is an author, writer, and communications specialist specializing in health and wellness.

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Type 2 Diabetes. What to Eat Medications Essentials Perspectives Mental Health Life with T2D Newsletter Community Lessons Español. Understanding and Preventing Diabetic Coma. Medically reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, M. Causes Symptoms Emergency care Prevention Outlook Takeaway If you are a person with diabetes, knowing the symptoms of a diabetic coma can save your life.

How diabetes can lead to coma. Signs and symptoms. When to seek emergency care. The takeaway. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Jun 28, Written By Kristeen Cherney, PhD. Sep 12, Medically Reviewed By Peggy Pletcher, MS, RD, LD, CDE.

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Some people with diabetes can lose their ability to recognize the symptoms of early hypoglycemia. Unconsciousness due to hypoglycemia can occur within 20 minutes to an hour after early symptoms and is not usually preceded by other illness or symptoms. Twitching or convulsions may occur.

A person unconscious from hypoglycemia is usually pale, has a rapid heart beat, and is soaked in sweat: all signs of the adrenaline response to hypoglycemia. The individual is not usually dehydrated and breathing is normal or shallow.

Their blood sugar level, measured by a glucose meter or laboratory measurement at the time of discovery, is usually low but not always severely, and in some cases may have already risen from the nadir that triggered the unconsciousness.

Unconsciousness due to hypoglycemia is treated by raising the blood glucose with intravenous glucose or injected glucagon. Diabetic ketoacidosis DKA , most typically seen in those with type 1 diabetes, is triggered by the build-up of chemicals called ketones.

These are strongly acidic and a build-up can cause the blood to become acidic. If it progresses and worsens without treatment it can eventually cause unconsciousness, from a combination of a very high blood sugar level, dehydration and shock , and exhaustion. Coma only occurs at an advanced stage, usually after 36 hours or more of worsening vomiting and hyperventilation.

In the early to middle stages of ketoacidosis, patients are typically flushed and breathing rapidly and deeply, but visible dehydration, pale appearance from diminished perfusion, shallower breathing, and a fast heart rate are often present when coma is reached.

However these features are variable and not always as described. If the patient is known to have diabetes, the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis is usually suspected from the appearance and a history of 1—2 days of vomiting.

The diagnosis is confirmed when the usual blood chemistries in the emergency department reveal a high blood sugar level and severe metabolic acidosis. Treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis consists of isotonic fluids to rapidly stabilize the circulation, continued intravenous saline with potassium and other electrolytes to replace deficits, insulin to reverse the ketoacidosis, and careful monitoring for complications.

Nonketotic hyperosmolar coma usually develops more insidiously than diabetic ketoacidosis because the principal symptom is lethargy progressing to obtundation , rather than vomiting and an obvious illness.

Extremely high blood sugar levels are accompanied by dehydration due to inadequate fluid intake. Coma occurs most often in patients who have type 2 or steroid diabetes and have an impaired ability to recognize thirst and drink. It is classically a nursing home condition but can occur in all ages.

The treatment consists of insulin and gradual rehydration with intravenous fluids. Diabetic coma was a more significant diagnostic problem before the late s, 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. Laboratory confirmation can usually be obtained in half an hour or less.