For so many with Type ii diabetes, the thought of ending up in a diabetic coma is a worst case scenario. There definitely is no question. Such a coma is a very serious situation. This often occurs due to one of three different causes: severe diabetic hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis in combination with other symptoms or hyperosmolar nonketonic coma. Each type involves different causes. The medical term diabetic coma is a general term used when someone comes up unconscious with diabetes. Modern medical staff knows what to look for to figure out what is causing the problem. It is important for you to recognize early symptoms in yourself to avoid losing consciousness. Let's look at each type and then what may happen with each.

The first one is severe diabetic hypoglycemia. That long medical term means that your glucose levels have plummeted too low. It often occurs if a patient takes too much insulin or something else causes the blood glucose to drop unexpectedly. People with type 2 diabetes will likely deal with periods of hypoglycemia off and on. It is actually uncommon for levels to fall so low as to cause a coma. If coma occurs, the paramedics or hospital will give the patient intravenous glucose or glucagon to stimulate glucose release. This will elevate glucose levels in the blood stream.

The next type to consider is a coma caused by diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis begins when a person's body runs out of much needed insulin. To get energy, the body begins converting fat deposits into energy. This action results in the build-up of ketones in the bloodstream. The ketone buildup can cause many severe symptoms besides loss of consciousness. Vomiting, dehydration, confusion, as well as shallow irregular breathing are also common. Individuals with Diabetes 2 get this type of diabetic coma less often than the first one. Treatment involves rehydration and giving insulin to stop the generation of more ketones.

The last type of diabetic coma is a hyperosmolar nonketonic coma. This type of coma develops as a combination of both severe hyperglycemia and dehydration. Hyperglycemia is the term for elevated levels of glucose in the blood stream. When high levels of sugar combine with severe loss of fluids, the patient may fall into a coma very quickly. Understand that this form of coma is indeed the most deadly in theType 2 Diabetes population. It only begins to show as lethargy. Without overt symptoms, many people fall into a coma without warning. Medical treatment involves gradual rehydration and insulin introduction.