diabetic coma

coma /co·ma/ (ko´mah) [L.] a state of profound unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused, even by powerful stimuli.co´matose

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alcoholic coma  stupor accompanying severe alcoholic intoxication.

diabetic coma  the coma of severe diabetic acidosis.

hepatic coma  coma accompanying hepatic encephalopathy.

irreversible coma  brain death.

Kussmaul's coma  the coma and air hunger of diabetic acidosis.

metabolic coma  the coma accompanying metabolic encephalopathy.

uremic coma  lethargic state due to uremia.

coma vigil  locked-in syndrome.

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diabetic coma

n.

A coma that develops in severe and inadequately treated cases of diabetes mellitus. Also called Kussmaul's coma.

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Diabetic coma

Reduced level of consciousness that requires immediate medical attention.

Mentioned in: Nausea and Vomiting

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diabetic coma,

a life-threatening condition occurring in persons with diabetes mellitus. It is caused by undiagnosed diabetes; inadequate treatment; failure to take prescribed insulin; excessive food intake; or, most frequently, infection, surgery, trauma, or other stressors that increase the body's need for insulin. Without insulin to metabolize glucose, fats are used for energy, resulting in ketone waste accumulation and metabolic acidosis. The body's effort to counteract acidosis depletes the alkali reserve; causes a loss of sodium, chloride, potassium, and water; increases respiratory exhalation of carbon dioxide (Kussmaul breathing) and urinary excretion; and leads to dehydration and generalized hypoxia. Warning signs of diabetic coma include a dull headache, fatigue, inordinate thirst, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, parched lips, flushed face, and sunken eyes. The temperature usually rises and then falls. The systolic blood pressure drops, and circulatory collapse may occur. Immediate treatment consists of administering short-acting insulin and replacing electrolytes and fluids to correct the acidosis and dehydration. Nonketotic coma may occur in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus and high levels of blood glucose but no fatty acid breakdown. The plasma hyperosmolarity causes water to leave cells, and the dehydration of cerebral cells results in coma. See also diabetic ketoacidosis, insulin shock.

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coma (kō´m),

n a state of unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused, even by powerful stimulation. It is gradual in onset, prolonged, and not spontaneously reversible.

coma, diabetic,

n the state of unconsciousness accompanying severe diabetic acidosis. It may develop from lack of insulin, surgical complications, or disregard of dietary restrictions. Premonitory symptoms include weakness, anorexia, dry skin and oral cavity, drowsiness, abdominal pain, and fruity breath odor. Late symptoms are coma, air hunger, low blood pressure, tachycardia, dehydration, soft and sunken eyeballs, glycosuria, hyperglycemia, and a high level of ecetoacetic acid. See also shock, insulin.

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coma

a state of unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused, even by powerful stimuli.

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alpha coma

coma in which there are electroencephalographic findings of dominant alpha-wave activity.

diabetic coma

the coma of severe diabetic acidosis. See also diabetes mellitus.

hepatic coma

results from reversible biochemical abnormalities of the cerebrum, caused by elevated blood levels of toxic substances such as ammonia, amino acids, short-chain fatty acids and beta hydroxylated biogenic amines that accumulate in severe liver disease. See also hepatic encephalopathy.

irreversible coma

coma in which for a period of 24 hours there is complete nonreceptivity and nonresponsivity even to the most intensely painful stimuli, no spontaneous movement or breathing, absence of elicitable reflexes, and a flat electroencephalogram. Called also brain death.

myxedema coma

the mental stupor caused by severe hypothyroidism; seen most often in Doberman pinchers, it is associated with hypoventilation, hypothermia, hypotension and bradycardia. Death may occur.