A diabetic coma is a deadly disorder that causes the loss of knowledge which affects - as its name says - who suffers from diabetes, one of chronic degenerative diseases more worrying today.
If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood glucose levels, also called hyperglycemia, or dangerously low blood glucose levels, known hypoglycemia dome, can cause a diabetic coma.
Upon entering a diabetic coma, you are alive, but you cannot awaken or respond intentionally to images, sounds or other types of stimuli.If not, a diabetic coma can cause death.
The idea of a diabetic coma can be alarming, but measures can be taken to help prevent it.
Before having a diabetic coma, symptoms of high or low blood glucose appear and with them several signs that this fatal disorder is close to appearing.
If the level of blood glucose is too high, it is possible that the symptoms are increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, tiredness or weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting, lack of air, stomach pain, breath with fruit smellAnd very dry mouth.
While in the case of blood glucose level it is too low, it is possible that the symptoms are tremors, anxiety, tiredness or drowsiness, weakness, sweating, hunger, sensation of tingling in the skin, dizziness or stunning, headache, headache, difficulty speaking, blurred vision, disorientation and loss of knowledge.
Some people, in particular those who have had diabetes for a long time, suffer from a condition known as ignorance of hypoglycemia.That means that they do not have warning symptoms that indicate a decrease in blood glucose level.
If there are symptoms of a high or low blood glucose level, blood glucose levels have to be measured immediately.According to the test results, we must follow the treatment for diabetes.If you do not start feeling better quickly or if you start feeling worse, you have to look immediately medical care.
Blood glucose values too high or too low for a long time can cause the following serious health problems, and all of them can lead to the diabetic coma.
Diabetic ketoacidosis: If muscle cells need energy, the body can begin to degrade fat to convert it into energy.This process generates toxic acids known as "ketones."If they have ketones (detected in the blood or urine) and a high level of blood glucose, the condition is called "diabetic ketoacidosis."If not, it can lead to a diabetic coma.
Hyperosmolar diabetic syndrome: If the blood glucose level exceeds 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), or 33.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/l), the condition is known as "hyperosmolar diabetic syndrome."When blood glucose is extremely high, sugar surplus passes from blood to urine.This triggers a process that eliminates a large amount of body fluid.If it is not treated, it can cause dehydration that puts life at risk and lead to a diabetic coma.
Hypoglycemia: The brain needs sugar (glucose) to work.In severe cases, low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) can cause fainting.The low level of blood glucose can be caused by an excess of insulin or lack of food.Doing very energetic exercises or drinking too much alcohol can cause the same effect.
All people who have diabetes run the risk of having a diabetic coma, but the following factors can increase it:
Insulin administration problems: if a pump is usedInsulin, you must control the level of blood glucose frequently.The insulin provision can stop if the pump fails or the tube (catheter) is folded or leaves its place.Lack of insulin can generate diabetic ketoacidosis.
A disease, a trauma or surgery: when you are sick or injured, blood glucose levels can change, sometimes significantly, which increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar diabetic syndrome.
Bad controlled diabetes: If the blood glucose level is not controlled correctly or if medications are not taken, according to the doctor's instructions, there is a greater risk of developing long -term health problems and having a diabetic comma.
Do not use insulin or skip foods deliberately: sometimes people who have diabetes and who also suffer from an eating disorder decide not to administer insulin as they should in the desire to lose weight.This is a dangerous practice that puts life at risk and that increases the risk of having a diabetic coma.
Consume alcohol: alcohol can have unpredictable effects on blood glucose.The effects of alcohol can make you more difficult to realize if you are having symptoms of low blood glucose levels.This can increase the risk of having a diabetic coma due to hypoglycemia.
Illicit drug use: illicit drugs, such as cocaine, can increase the risk of having a severe level of blood glucose and conditions related to a diabetic coma.
A daily and correct control of diabetes can help you prevent diabetic coma.
Fulfilling your meal plan: respecting meals or eating refreshments regularly can help you control the blood glucose level.
Monitor the blood glucose level: frequent blood glucose tests may indicate whether the blood glucose level is being maintained within the target range.You can also warn of the rises or declines of the level that are dangerous.Control more frequently if exercised, since it can cause blood glucose levels to fall, even hours later, especially if you do not exercise regularly.
Take the medications as indicated: If you have frequent episodes of high or low blood glucose levels, inform the doctor to the doctor, it is possible that the dose or time in which the medication is taken, the medication is taken.
When the blood glucose level is high, control the ketones: control the ketones in the urine when the blood glucose level is greater than 250 mg/dl (14 mmol/l) in more than two consecutive tests, especially if you are sick.
If you have large amounts of ketones, it is best to call the doctor and ask for advice, also if any levels of ketones occur and they have vomiting.High levels of ketones can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to a coma.
Have a glucagon and quick sugar sources at hand: if insulin is used for diabetes, it is bestorange, for the moments when the blood glucose low levels need to be treated.
Consider using a continuous glucometer, especially if it is difficult to maintain a stable level of blood glucose or if the symptoms of low blood glucose levels are not felt (ignorance of hypoglycemia).
Continuous glucometers are devices that use a small sensor that is inserted under the skin to record the trends in blood glucose levels and transmit information to a wireless device,Like a smartphone.These glucometers can alert when blood glucose reaches dangerously low values or when the levels decrease too fast.
Even so, blood glucose levels have to be measured with a glucose meter, even if you use one of these glucometers.Continuous glucometers are more expensive than other glucose measurement methods, but can help you control it better.
Drinking alcohol in moderation: since alcohol can have an unpredictable effect on the blood glucose level, eat something before drinking alcohol if you decide to do it.
Inform your loved ones, friends and co -workers: teach your loved ones and other people close to recognizing the first symptoms of the extreme values of blood glucose and administering emergency injections.If you lose knowledge, someone should be able to ask for emergency help.
Take a bracelet or medical identification necklace: if you are unconscious, the bracelet or necklace can provide valuable information to your friends, your coworkers and medical emergency staff.
The treatment of a diabetic coma depends on the causes, if it was caused by the decrease in blood glucose or by an excessive rise.
If the blood glucose level is too high, it is possible that liquids are needed intravenously to replace the water in the body;Potassium, sodium or phosphate supplements so that cells can work properly;Insulin so that the body can absorb blood glucose and an infection treatment.
If blood glucose is too low, they may administer a glucagon injection, this makes your blood glucose level rise quickly.Intravenous dextrose can also be administered to raise blood glucose levels.
