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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffBefore a diabetic coma, you'll usually experience signs and symptoms of high blood sugar or low blood sugar.
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
If your blood sugar level is too high, you may experience:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach pain
- Fruity breath odor
- Fast heartbeat
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
If your blood sugar level is too low, you may feel:
- Shaky or nervous
- Tired
- Sweaty
- Hungry
- Nauseated
- Irritable
- An irregular or racing heartbeat
- Hostile or aggressive
- Confused
Some people develop a condition known as hypoglycemia unawareness and won't have the warning signs that signal a drop in blood sugar.
If you experience any symptoms of high or low blood sugar, test your blood sugar and follow your diabetes treatment plan based on the test results. If you don't start to feel better quickly, or you start to feel worse, call for emergency help.
When to see a doctor
A diabetic coma is a medical emergency. If you feel extreme high or low blood sugar symptoms and think you might pass out, call 911 or your local emergency number. If you're with someone with diabetes who has passed out, call for emergency help, and be sure to let the emergency personnel know that the unconscious person has diabetes.
- Masharani U. Diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=15524. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Masharani U, et al. Pancreatic hormones and diabetes mellitus. In: Gardner DG, et al. Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2633151. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Kitabchi AE, et al. Hyperglycemic crises in adult patients with diabetes (consensus statement). Diabetes Care. 2009:32;1335.
- Hypoglycemia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hypoglycemia/. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Brenner ZR. Management of hyperglycemic emergencies. AACN Clinical Issues. 2006:17;56.
- Standards of medical care in diabetes, 2010. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2010;33(suppl):11.
- Kitabchi AE, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec12/ch158/ch158c.html. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hyperglycemia.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2010.
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