Diabetic coma (patient information)

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 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Laura Linnemeier

Overview
Diabetic coma is a life-threatening diabetic complication. Anyone who has diabetes is at risk of a diabetic coma. The cause may severe diabetic hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar nonketotic coma. The same symptoms of all kinds of causes may be consciousness disorders. It is an urgent condition that needs to go to the emergency department as soon as possible. Tests, including blood sugar level, ketone level in blood and urine, blood level of nitrogen or creatinine and potassium in your blood, may be helpful for the diagnosis of the cause. Treatment protocol depends on the causes of coma.. Left untreated, a diabetic coma can be fatal. Prognosis of diabetic coma depends on whether the patient is treated promptly and properly.