Diabetic Coma

Develops when insulin and blood glucose are so out of balance that ketones accumulate in the blood. Characterized by acid poisoning (ketoacidosis), or acid intoxication caused by a lack of insulin or an elevation in counterregulatory (stress) hormones usually taking several hours or even days to occur, but can usually be controlled at the first signs of high blood glucose or ketones in the urine. It is marked by high blood glucose levels and ketones in the urine, and occurs almost exclusively in persons with Type I diabetes. Certain causes directly related to diabetes are: (1) Hypoglycemic coma resulting from excessive doses of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. (2) Hyperglycemic coma associated with either severe insulin deficiency ( diabetic ketoacidosis Type I diabetes ) or a mild to moderate insulin deficiency ( nonketotic hyperosmolar coma, Type II diabetes ). (3) Lactic acidosis associated with diabetes, particularly in persons with diabetes stricken with severe infection or with cardiovascular collapse.