Ailments & Conditions

Diabetic Coma: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Treatment & Prevention

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Coma

Diabetic coma does not cause any unique symptom. Instead, signs tend to vary from person to person, depending on the form of diabetes they have. It is important to know the difference between the symptoms of diabetic coma caused by low and high blood sugar.

If you have diabetic coma caused by low blood sugar, the feeling is quite similar to fainting. These include irritability, anxiety, disorientation, sweaty skin, and strong throbbing pulse over the arteries in the body. They tend to happen before the loss of consciousness. If left untreated, it may lead to brain damage. When a diabetic coma is caused by low blood sugar, possible treatment options include glucagon, 50% dextrose solution, and intravenous fluids. [4]

When high blood sugar happens and causes a diabetic coma, the onset tends to be slow with drowsiness that worsens over time. Some other common signs include ketosis, bounding, a weakened pulse, and dehydration. If left untreated, toxic acids may accumulate in the urine and blood. This may lead to further complications, such as abdominal pain, confusion, weakness, dry mouth, shortness of breath, vomiting, nausea, and fruity-smelling breath. [5]