Question 1

how long can a diabetic coma last?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Though most wake up significantly within a few hours of getting Insulin (or glucose if hypoglycemic), there can be permanent brain damage if the brain is starved of glucose (from either lack of Insulin to utilize the glucose or hypoglycemia) long enough, .

Question 2

how long does it take to die from a hypoglycaemic diabetic coma?

Accepted Answer

Depends: With or without medical support, how deep is the coma? In general, if left unattended, this is a process that would take hours or longer. If you are thinking of committing suicide please seek help immediately. If you are trying to hurt someone else, turn yourself in to the police.

Question 3

is there an alarm to warn me i might be slipping into a diabetic coma?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You are probably referring to low blood sugar episodes.  Warning signs ususally begin wiht a sense of "jitter" or "shakiness" and a feeling of hunger and irritability.  One usually becomes sweaty.  This can progress to mild confusion (drunkiness characteristics) and progressing to frank confusion, slurred speech, seizure and coma.  Know your body and your diabetes.  Get diabetic educaton.  See pcp.

Question 4

can hyperglycemia cause a diabetic coma?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If the hyperglycemia is high enough it can lead to diabetic coma.  We call this hyperosmolar hyperglycemia coma or syndrome.  Diabetes ketoacidosis coma is another form of diabetic coma but this one is caused by not having Insulin rather than the extreme hyperglycemia (which is just a sign for this coma).

Question 5

can a 2 year old develop a diabetic coma?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Diabetic coma can occur in any diabetics, any age.

Question 6

what does someone in a diabetic coma smell like?

Accepted Answer

It depends: If the "diabetic coma" is from very low blood sugar, the is no particular smell.  If the "coma" is from very high blood sugar, there may be a sweet, fruity smell.

Question 7

whats the difference between a diabetic coma and insulin shock?

Accepted Answer

Opposite: Diabetic coma results from extremely elevated blood sugars. Insulin shock arises from severe hypoglycemia related to taking insulin.

Question 8

how high could your sugar be before you go into a diabetic coma?

Accepted Answer

It depends upon: Whether you have ketoacidosis (more common in type 1 diabetes) where coma can occur with glucoses of 600 or more -- or whether you have hyperosmolar coma with severe dehydration (more common in type 2 diabetes) where coma is usually only with a glucose of around 1000 or higher. It's extremely variable, and depends more on state of dehydration. Glucose levels doesn't correlate well with coma.

Question 9

how can i differentiate the three types of diabetic coma in a patient?

Accepted Answer

Coma: Can you please expand on the three types of diabetic coma.

If she has had or still has diabetic coma surely the doctors   would have told you.

Any coma is not good.

Question 10

can you tell me what occurs to cause one to go into a diabetic coma and is it always fatal?

Accepted Answer

Blood sugar changes: Coma more often occurs from severely low blood sugar levels, but could develop with poorly controlled diabetes causing striking elevations of blood sugar.  Usually not fatal if problems can be reversed in a timely fashion.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

How long on life support in diabetic coma

A member asked:

How long can a diabetic coma last?

A member asked:

How long does it take to die from a hypoglycaemic diabetic coma?

A member asked:

Is there an alarm to warn me i might be slipping into a diabetic coma?

A member asked:

Can hyperglycemia cause a diabetic coma?

A member asked:

Can a 2 year old develop a diabetic coma?

A member asked:

What does someone in a diabetic coma smell like?

A member asked:

Whats the difference between a diabetic coma and insulin shock?

A member asked:

How high could your sugar be before you go into a diabetic coma?

A member asked:

How can i differentiate the three types of diabetic coma in a patient?

A member asked:

Can you tell me what occurs to cause one to go into a diabetic coma and is it always fatal?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?