Diabetic coma is a severe condition resulting from uncontrolled blood sugar levels, primarily seen in diabetic patients, with three main types: diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, and hypoglycemic coma. Symptoms include polyuria, weakness, headache, and altered consciousness, necessitating prompt medical management. Treatment varies by type but often includes intravenous fluids and insulin, with preventive measures focusing on diet, medication adherence, and blood sugar monitoring.

2. Definition
Types of diabetic coma
Causes of diabetic coma
Signs and symptoms
Management

3.  This a aggravated diabetic-resulting
pathological condition leading to loss of
conscious.
 It is mainly due to impaired control of blood
sugar levels.
 It may progress to different organs like eyes,
kidney, blood vessels and nerve tissues
 diabetic coma is linked with severe and
inadequately treated diabetic mellitus

4. Three types are linked to diabetic coma:
 diabetic ketoacidosis coma
 Hyperosomolar coma
 Hypoglycaemic coma

5.  This is also normally known as insulin
dependent diabetic mellitus-IDDM
 It yield in the accumulation of ketone build-
ups due to insulin deficiency which then raise
the acidity of the blood
 It is linked to both types of diabetics i.e. type
I & type II

6. 1. Absolute lack of insulin- linked to type 1
diabetic
2. Relative Lack of Insulin
i. Acute illness
• Infection or other inflammatory process
• Myocardial infarction
• Stroke
• Trauma

7. ii. Endocrinopathies: Anti-Insulin Hormone
Excess
iii. Drugs
 Steroids
 Calcium channel blockers
 Pentamidine
 Beta-blocking agents
 Dilantin
 Alcohol

8. SIGNS
 Polyuria
 Polydipsia
 Weakness
 Lethargy
 Myalgia
 Headache
 Anorexia
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Abdominal pain
 Breathlessness
SYMPTOMS
 Hyperpnoea
 Hypothermia
 Acetone breath
 Acidotic breathing
 Dyspnea
 Acute abdomen
 Dehydration
 Hyporeflexia
 Hypotonia
 Coma

9. This is due to the dehydration and the
exaggerated increase in blood glucose level
The increase in blood glucose level may be
due to:
 forgotten diabetic medications or insulin
Sugary food and fluids intake
Some diseases like flu and pneumonia

10.  This coma is due to low blood glucose level
usually less than 3.5 mmol/l
 It occurs in the diabetic patients who are on
insulin and certain other diabetics medication
like sulphonylureas:
 Takes extra dose
Exercise strenuously without taking extra food
Misses a meal (starvation)
Drinks too much alcohol

11.  Dull headache
 Fatigue
 Inordinate thirst
 Epigastric pain
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Parched lips
•Flushed face, and
sunken eyes.
•The temperature
usually rises and then
falls.
•The systolic blood
pressure drops, and
circulatory collapse
may occur.

12.  Sweats
 Weakness
 Heart palpitation
 Intense hunger
 Confusion, drowsiness, altered behavior
especially when the blood glucose drops
down.

13.  Medical history
 Physical examination – the person may be
wearing an emergency bracelet identifying
their medical condition
 Blood tests – including tests for glucose and
ketone levels

14.  DKA is treated by
 Intravenous fluid
 Insulin and potassium administration
 Hyperosmolar diabetics can be corrected by
 Intravenous fluids
 Insulin, potassium and sodium infused as soon as
possible.
 Hypoglycemic diabetic: glucagon to reverse
the action of insulin or glucose administration is
urgent

15.  The preventive measures are to often :
¥ Take care of your meal
¥ Check your ketones when your blood sugar is high
¥ Keep an eye on your blood sugar level
¥ Take your medication as directed with your
physician
¥ Drink alcohol with caution
¥ Physical exercises

16.  http://medical-
dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/diabetic+coma
 www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au, Copyright © 1999/2015 State
ofVictoria.
 Fishbein HA, Palumbo PJ: Acute metabolic complications in
diabetics. In diabetics in America. National diabetics Data
Group, National Institutes of Health, 1995;p.283-291 (NIH
publ. No.95-1468).
 Kitabchi AE et al. Management of hyperglycemic crises
in patients with diabetics. diabetics Care 2001;24: 241-
269.