My brother went into a diabetic coma. Whats the chances of him recovering?

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His blood sugar was so high the doctor could not get an accurate reading.
This is something that you should be consulting a doctor about. I can't see where someone on here would qualify to answer this question (unless they are a doctor). I am sorry about your brother. My prayers go out to you.  (+ info)

how long can a diabetic go with no food or water before in a coma, how long with out insulin before in a coma?

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grandma eats what ever she wants, and also sleeps thrue her med times, what should I do short of threaten to kick out, the nurse keeps sayin if she dont start doin right they will take her from me.
This sounds like a difficult situation. Obviously people have right and your gram is choosing to go down this path. Explain to her the implications of her eating behaviors and make them clear. If you do the grocery shopping, maybe you can agree to only buy appropriate things. On her meds try setting alarms for each time of the day she nbeeds to take them if you cannot be there to remind her. Sounds like she needs some tough love. What do they mean tak eher from you?? And put her where??? They cannot take her anywhere,. It is her personal choice to take or not take meds. She should not be force or bullied into doing anyhting by any organization,nurse or doctor  (+ info)

My twin 18 year old brother was diagnosed with diabetic coma?

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I went to go visit him today and he was on all kind of iv's and on a breathing mask to keep him alive... How do i cope with this? I need him. We share a room and its weird without him... is it ok to cry?
Just got the call that he just passed away...
Of course you can cry. YOu have to cry....you havemy smpathy. I am so sorry for your loss. It will take time. Just give yourself time to mourn. I am so sorry.  (+ info)

is there a difference in care provided for a person experiencing a diabetic coma versus insulin shock?

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help? =]
I assume you mean low blood sugar vs high blood sugar. If someone is having low blood sugar shock (insulin shock) then normally the cure is to have a fast acting carbohydrate. Orange juice is a common one,. There are packaged products that you can carry with you for ease of use when out and about. Diabetic coma occurs when the blood sugar is too high. The correct treatment there is to give insulin.

However, if you should happen upon an unconscious diabetic and don't know which is the problem (high or low blood sugar?), call 911 and administer a glucose gel. (can bebought at your pharmacy)

The resoning behind this is that someone with low blood sugar can die much more quickly than someone with high blood sugar. If you give someone with high blood sugar some glucons, it will boost their blood sugar even higher, but not cause any real damage. Whereas someone with low blood sugar could be rescued with the same dose.  (+ info)

how high is blood glucose levels to cause diabetic coma?

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I don't think that there is a actual answer to your question. Every one is different and reacts differently. I had a BG of 1400 and didn't go into a coma or even close to it, others have gone into coma's in the 500's. I think it depends on each person's body.
I could be mistaken as I am new to diabetes (March 09) but I think that I have heard that starting around 300 is when a person should be concerned.  (+ info)

Diabetic coma - patient monitoring and alarm?

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I have a cousin who has diabetis. He has one of the rare forms of diabetis that cases his blood sugar levels to fluctuate(high and very low) for no specific reason. He follows a proper diet and takes his insulin shots regularly, but from time to time his sugar levels dip and he goes into a coma. A few times it was very difficult for the medics to revive him.
I need to know if any patient monitoring equipment is available that will alert his folks that there is something wrong. The equipment needs to be simple and uncomplicated to use and would not need any action from the patient to raise an alarm as the the more critical coma episodes have happened while he is asleep.

Please let me know if such a monitor is available, where and approximate costs involved.
Thanks.
Your cousin may benefit from being on an insulin pump. Many find that it cuts out most of the severe lows due to the fact that there is no unpredictable long-acting insulin on board.

Type 1 is often very hard for *everyone* who has it to manage, even more so if you are "brittle". There are ALWAYS going to be some highs and lows. It's impossible to replace a pancreas with injections a few times a day. That said, there are ways to improve the situation. Seizures/comas are NOT acceptable.

Make sure your cousin meets with his diabetes care team regularily to make sure he has the proper insulin to carb ratios (he should know how to match his insulin to his meals), and basal insulin doses. Does he know how long his insulin works for? When it peaks? How to calculate proper correction doses for high blood sugar? None of this is an exact perfect science, but it's the best we have. The above answer regarding snacks (like anything with cornstarch) and testing before bed is key.

Does you cousin test his blood sugar at least 6 times per day? Does he eat a snack after he exercises? Does he drink alcohol without taking the extra steps needed to keep his blood sugar in a safe range? Can he still feel his blood sugar dropping low?

I suggest that he allows himself to run a bit higher than usual, and just work at trying to keep himself somewhat steady. He may be giving way too much insulin when he is treating his high blood sugars. This may cause him to rebound, go low, and then shoot back up again (due to glycogen from his liver/eating).

Look into Minimed's Guradian RT. It is a continous glucose monitor that will alert you when your blood sugar is rising or falling rapidly. It is not 100% perfect, but it's the only one on the market right now. It's a start. There are others waiting for FDA approval. You insert a new sensor under your skin every 3 days, and the sensor transmits that data to the device.

There have been other devices like Glucowatch, but all are considered failures to the their high false alarm rate, and poor detection of low/accurate blood sugar, among other reasons.

Has your cousin been screened for other diseases genetically related to Type 1 diabetes that can cause severe lows, such as Celiac Disease? Up to 30% of Type 1's have Celiac and most are mainly asymptomatic. Fatigue and severe low blood sugar can be seen in these cases, even if no GI (stomach) issues are present. His thyroid and adrenal levels should also be checked.

Lastly, your cousin may qualify for an islet cell transplant if all else fails.They often have a very poor success rate, and require toxic drugs to surpress the immune system, but they are offered to those who run the risk of death daily from severe low blood sugar.  (+ info)

After someone with Type 1 diabetes has gone into a diabetic coma, how long does it take before they can die?

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That depends on their condition before they went into the coma. Do they have any other diseases, or conditions that might weaken them?

What is their blood sugar and most importantly, are they hospitalized and being treated?

If they are treated properly, in time, they probably won't die.

If you are worried about someone, please talk to a doctor about your concerns, that's the only place where you can get reliable information on this sort of question.  (+ info)

How close was I to diabetic coma? my blood sugar was 400.?

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I was very sleepy. Dr told me to take more of my medicine and to go to the emergancy if I did not get better in one hour. I went home and went to sleep ( we were out running errunds, I had been sleepy all day) Should I have gone to sleep? After taking the medicine it did get better.
As a longtime diabetic and several times a victim to DKA, I know from personal experience that you should have gone to the ER. You were getting really close to DKA if you were not already in it. DKA is nothing to mess around with. If it is not brought under control, you are risking your life.

Keep a close watch on your sugar...test at least evey 4 hours. Drink plenty of fluids. IF AN ANYTIME YOU BEING TO EXPERIENCE NAUSEA/VOMITING, CHEST PAIN, RAPID BREATHING, EXTREME THIRST OR HAVE A FRUITY SMELL ON YOUR BREATH, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

See your doctor as early as possible. Have you been sick lately? Did you miss a dose of insulin? Have you been getting enough fluids? Talk to you doctor. Don't mess around with this.  (+ info)

how do you get a diabetic coma,and do you survive?

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diabetic coma's and survival
A coma is defined as a state of profound unconsciousness (sometimes called an “altered” state of consciousness). Coma related to diabetes can have several causes. It may result from excessively high or low glucose (blood sugar) levels.

The two types of diabetic coma that can result from high glucose levels (hyperglycemic) are diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS).

DKA occurs when waste products of fat metabolism called ketones build up in the body. Blood glucose levels are typically very high during DKA, as well. The body may use body fat for energy if lack of insulin prevents it from using glucose. DKA can lead to diabetic coma and may be fatal when it does. People with type 1 diabetes have a greater chance of developing diabetic ketoacidosis than those with type 2 diabetes. Causes of diabetic ketoacidosis include:

- Missed dose(s) of insulin
- Acute infection or illness, such as pneumonia, heart attack or infection of an extremity (cellulitis)
- Severe dehydration

The best way to prevent diabetic coma is to keep glucose (blood sugar) levels well under control. There are several steps that are essential to the careful maintenance of diabetes. They include:

- Create and maintain an appropriate meal plan. Patients should work with their physician on crafting and following a diet that controls their glucose levels.


- Check glucose levels. Patients should regularly perform glucose monitoring. This will help to warn them when their glucose is either too high or too low, or when they are in danger of complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome. The patient’s physician can recommend the appropriate times for home glucose monitoring.

- Take medications as directed. Patients should always take their medications exactly as instructed by a physician. If treatments fail to control a patient’s diabetes, adjustments may be necessary. However, patients should never adjust dosages.

Best Wishes

SOURCES:

http://www.healthology.com/diabetes/diabetes-information/article3640.htm?pg=4  (+ info)

what causes a diabetic coma?

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also is drinking red bull,monster and amp bad for diabetics?
i can answer this one..i wasnt taking my insulin, IDK why..just wasnt..sometimes i get depressed and i just let things go..my sugar levels were extremely high..i remember i couldnt get my breath and my daughter ended up calling an ambulance, i was in DKA, a life threatening condition, and ended up in ICU for 4 days...it was terrible..i honestly dont remember the ride from my house to the ER or being admitted or moved to my room..i slept for almost 4 days straight...and im taking care of myself now...dont want to check out earlier than i have to  (+ info)

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