OverviewA diabetic coma is a life-threatening disorder that causes unconsciousness. If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma. Show If you go into a diabetic coma, you're alive — but you can't wake up or respond purposefully to sights, sounds or other types of stimulation. If it's not treated, a diabetic coma can result in death. The idea of a diabetic coma can be scary, but you can take steps to help prevent it. One of the most important is to follow your diabetes treatment plan. SymptomsSymptoms of high blood sugar or low blood sugar usually develop before a diabetic coma. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)If your blood sugar level is too high, you may have:
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)If your blood sugar is too low, you may have:
Some people, especially those who've had diabetes for a long time, develop a condition known as hypoglycemia unawareness. That means they don't have warning symptoms that signal a drop in blood sugar. If you have any symptoms of high or low blood sugar, test your blood sugar right away. Based on the test results, follow your diabetes treatment. If you don't start to feel better quickly, or you start to feel worse, get medical care right away. When to see a doctorA diabetic coma is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar and you 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. Tell the emergency personnel that the unconscious person has diabetes. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include
protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesBlood sugar that's either too high or too low for too long may cause the following serious health problems, all of which can lead to a diabetic coma.
Risk factorsAnyone who has diabetes is at risk of a diabetic coma, but the following factors can increase the risk:
ComplicationsIf it is not treated, a diabetic coma can lead to permanent brain damage and death. PreventionGood day-to-day control of your diabetes can help you prevent a diabetic coma. Keep these tips in mind:
Aug. 11, 2022 What A1C is dangerously high?A normal A1C level is below 5.7%, a level of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, and a level of 6.5% or more indicates diabetes.
What are the symptoms of a high A1C?Symptoms. Increased thirst.. Frequent urination.. Increased hunger.. Fatigue.. Blurred vision.. Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands.. Frequent infections.. Slow-healing sores.. How can I lower my A1C quickly?7 Ways to Improve Your A1C. Exercise. Physical activity helps your body use insulin more efficiently, so it can better process the glucose in your blood. ... . Eat Right. ... . Take Medications as Prescribed. ... . Manage Your Stress. ... . Stick to a Schedule. ... . Drink in Moderation. ... . Monitor Your Numbers.. What does it mean when your A1C is 14?If you do the math, clocking a 14 percent means you're possibly experiencing a 24-7-90 (24 hours a day, 7 days per week, for 90 days) blood sugar average of 355 mg/dL. Of course, labs can calculate higher A1Cs. Personally, the highest I've ever seen is an A1C result in the low 20s.
|