High Blood Sugar Level
One of the signs of untreated diabetes is high blood sugar. When you visit your healthcare provider, they will measure your blood sugar and let you know what range your blood glucose should fall in. Healthy blood sugar levels are usually between 70 and 130 mg/dL before meals and below 180 mg/dl two hours after meals.
High blood sugar is also often associated with a number of symptoms. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away about getting your blood glucose checked:
- Increased thirst or hunger
- Skin infections
- Slow-healing cuts and sores
If your healthcare provider suspects that you have diabetes or prediabetes , they will order other tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Whats The Difference Between Untreated Type 1 Diabetes And Untreated Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is when your pancreas doesnt produce any insulin at all. If left untreated, it can cause atherosclerosis , heart disease, stroke, and eye and kidney diseases.
On the other hand, type 2 diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesnt produce enough insulin or your body cannot use insulin effectively. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to vision loss, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation.
What Are The Causes Of Diabetic Coma
Diabetic coma is mainly caused by an extremely high or low blood sugar level. One of these conditions is diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. It happens in people with Type 2 diabetes. If you develop this condition:
- Your blood sugar could be as high as 600 mg/dL.
- Your urine wont contain ketones usually.
- Your blood will be much thicker than normal.
Another condition is diabetic ketoacidosis, which is more common in people with Type 1 diabetes. Things to know about this condition include:
- It could happen with a blood sugar as low as 250 mg/dL or even lower in some cases.
- Your body uses fatty acids instead of glucose for fuel.
- Ketones develop in your urine and bloodstream.
Don’t Miss: Can A Diabetic Get A Tattoo
What Is Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects blood sugar regulation. A person’s immune system makes antibodies that destroy the insulin-producing islet beta cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then fails to make insulin. Without insulin, blood sugar increases and cannot be delivered to the muscles and brain where it is needed. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to a number of complications such as kidney, nerve, and eye damage, and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, cells do not receive the glucose necessary for energy and normal function.
Because type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, cures will likely involve replacing the damaged pancreas or promoting regeneration or functioning of the pancreas. Because people with type 1 diabetes can no longer produce their own insulin, they must inject doses of insulin. They must match the amount of insulin they inject with their diet. Keeping blood sugar in a normal, healthy range is the key to preventing long-term complications.
Can Complications Be Reversed
Prevention is essential, as the damage from diabetes may not be reversed and complications may be permanent or fatal. However, there is limited research on if the body can heal and reverse the damage.
In 2015, researchers in Japan took a kidney biopsy from a kidney transplant between a patient with diabetes and one without, and it showed some degree of healing. The result from a 2011 study found that a patient who received a pancreas transplant showed healing in the pancreas, although the healing wasnt immediate and didnt take place until 10 years later.
However, cases of reversed diabetic complications, besides in kidney or pancreas transplants, have only been recorded informally.
You May Like: Pasta Bad For Diabetics
Living With Type 1 Diabetes
Insulin can be a difficult drug to manage. A mismatch between insulin and food intake can cause blood sugar to drop dangerously low . This can lead to symptoms such as a fast heart beat or feeling shaky. It can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, in which the bodys chemical balance becomes deranged because theres not enough insulin to move sugar into cells. Hypoglycemia can also lead to a diabetic coma, and even death. In the Scottish study, 21% of deaths among younger people with type 1 diabetes occurred as a result of diabetic coma and related causes.
That said, insulin works very well for most people with type 1 diabetes. Other reasons why people with type 1 diabetes are now living longer include:
Better insulins are available, and they are easier to use. Some last all day, others work very quickly. Insulin pumps make it easier to deliver insulin
Better ways to track blood sugar with home glucose monitors and even continuous glucose monitors. Keeping blood sugar close to normal is linked with longer life.
New drugs and other therapies to prevent and treat complications of diabetes, such as heart disease and kidney disease. Both are major causes of early death in people with type 1 diabetes.
Causes Of Death Among Diabetic Subjects
shows the causes of deaths. Twenty-three deaths were clearly related to diabetes. Mean age at death in this group was 15.1 years and mean duration of diabetes 8.2 years . Six were onset deaths. Among them, five children were younger than age 4 years, and one was age 14 years. Fourteen deaths were due to diabetic ketoacidosis. Four of them were treated in hospital, and two of them had the additional diagnosis of cerebral edema. Ten case subjects with an autopsy diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis were found at home, all living alone. Among the three remaining diabetes-related deaths, one was found with severe alcohol intoxication with strong suspicion of hypoglycemic death, and two case subjects had a diagnosis related to late diabetes complications.
Thirty-three patients died with a diagnosis not related to diabetes, of which seven were obvious suicides . Suicide methods were mainly hanging or headshot for males and intoxication of medicines for females. Fourteen case subjects died of other violent causes nine died in traffic accidents, three drowned, and two had accidents at work. In the group with traffic accidents, mean age was 17.6 years . One was bicycling, four were motorcycle drivers, and the others were car drivers.
You May Like: Does Bananas Raise Blood Sugar
People With Diabetes Cant Eat Sweets
Theres no reason people with type 2 diabetes cant eat sweets, as long as they fit into a normal meal plan. However, try to eat small portions and include them with other foods. This can help slow down digestion. Highly sugared drinks and desserts are digested more quickly and can cause a quick spike in blood sugar level. When eaten in large quantities or by themselves, sweets can wreck havoc on your blood sugar.
High Childhood Hba1c Increases Premature Death Risk In Type 1 Diabetes
We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact .John Samuelsson
Young adults with type 1 diabetes were nearly three times more likely to die before age 30 years if they had poor metabolic control during childhood, according to findings from a Swedish registry-based study.
The mortality for young adults with type 1 diabetes in Sweden was clearly elevated,John Samuelsson, MD, a doctoral student in the department of clinical and experimental medicine, division of childrens and womens health, Linköping University, Sweden, told Healio. In this young cohort, the main reason for death due to diabetes was acute complications from the disease. For these adults, HbA1c was significantly elevated in childhood.
Samuelsson and colleagues analyzed data from 12,652 young adults aged 29 years or younger using information from the Swedish Pediatric Diabetes Quality Register from 2006 to 2014. Researchers merged data with the Swedish Cause of Death Register and calculated standardized mortality rates using Statistics Sweden, the official Swedish population register.
Researchers identified 68 deaths between 2006 and 2014 , with 38.2% registered as due to acute complications of diabetes, such as hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.
The overall SMR was 2.7 , with a sex-stratified SMR of 2 for men and 4.4 for women . SMR also increased with age among the oldest age group , SMR was 6.3 .
For more information:
Also Check: What Kind Of Candy Can A Diabetic Eat
Key Points About Type 1 Diabetes In Children
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a long-term condition. It may start at any age. Only 5% of people with diabetes have type 1.
- Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are abnormally high.
- It is most frequently caused by an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
- Children with type 1 diabetes must have daily injections of insulin to keep the blood glucose level within normal ranges.
- Without insulin, blood glucose levels continue to rise and death will occur.
- With the administration of insulin, and other management activities, children with type 1 diabetes can lead active, healthy lives.
I Always Know When My Sugar Is High Or Low So I Dont Need To Test It
You cant rely on how youre feeling when it comes to your blood sugar level. You may feel shaky, lightheaded, and dizzy because your blood sugar is low, or you may be coming down with a cold or the flu. You may urinate a lot because your glucose is high or because you have a bladder infection. The longer you have diabetes, the less accurate those feelings become. The only way to know for sure is to check your blood sugar.
Don’t Miss: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar
Diabetic Seizure What To Do
If you notice the signs that a person is beginning to have a diabetic seizure, it is wise to take some specific steps immediately. If there is anyone else present who can do so, tell him to quickly call for an ambulance. While you are waiting for medical help to arrive, the two points which you should focus on are to prevent the person from injuring himself, and, if possible, to get glucose into his system. The latter can best be accomplished if the person still has his functioning abilities it is essential to never attempt to get a person who is unconscious or approaching unconsciousness to drink anything or ingest glucose tablets! Move him away from objects which he can be hurt on if he falls, such as tables if possible, provide a clear ground surface or a blanket.
My Brother Died From Dka
Editors Note: For support navigating life after a Type 1 death, please visit Jesse Was Here, a unique program of Beyond Type 1, providing resources to spouses, siblings, grandparents, and friends in need.
I believe that generally, there is still a lot of confusion about Type 1 diabetes. There are many common misunderstandings, like it was caused by a bad habit , or is an automatic diagnosis if a grandmother had some form of diabetes, often pronounced diabeetus. My own grandma actually called it sugar-betes, which definitely made my eyes roll, hard. Another commonly used word in T1D conversation is the word just. Couldnt you just do this ,why cant you just and at least diabetes is just
Now lets talk about DKA. I have actually noticed when I use the term DKA, people dont have say much because they know nothing about it. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a severe, life-threatening complication, mostly affecting Type 1 diabetics. DKA can develop when your blood sugar is high and the insulin level is low. The imbalance in the body causes a build-up of ketones, which are toxic. If not treated, it can lead to a diabetic coma and death.
He didnt have medical insurance, and there was hesitation in getting him to a doctor or the hospital because of it.
Also Check: Adverse Reactions To Metformin
What If I Find Higher
If your health care provider has not told you what levels of ketones are dangerous, then call when you find moderate amounts after more than one test. Often, your health care provider can tell you what to do over the phone.
- Your urine tests show high levels of ketones.
- Your urine tests show high levels of ketones and your blood glucose level is high.
- Your urine tests show high levels of ketones and you have vomited more than twice in four hours.
Do NOT exercise when your urine tests show ketones and your blood glucose is high. High levels of ketones and high blood glucose levels can mean your diabetes is out of control. Check with your health care provider about how to handle this situation.
Can You Die From Diabetes Type 1 And Type 2 Life Expectancy
Diabetes is a disease which is caused either due to the lack of proper production of insulin by the pancreas or due to the improper use of insulin in the human body. This gives rise to the blood sugar level or the glucose level in the body as it is the hormone insulin which is responsible for the breakdown of the carbohydrates and the other essential nutrients in the food to release the much-needed energy by the cells. It is a disease which adversely affects the primary function of metabolism in the body thereby exposing our body to several other complications.
Diabetes affects different people in different manners and as such, it takes several forms. The most common type of diabetes is type 1 and type 2 diabetes. There are various factors and causes which contribute to each type and form of the disease.
Due to the several complications that are associated with this condition, diabetes is often considered a deadly disease that can kill you. It is not uncommon to hear of people who have died of diabetes in the past few years. In this article, we shall further deep dive into the various issues that diabetes accompanies and might lead to the death of the diabetic patient.
Also Check: Articles On Type 1 Diabetes
Can A Diabetic Coma Be Prevented
You can help yourself prevent a diabetic coma by taking steps to keep your blood sugar in the target ranges. Meeting with a Certified Diabetes Educator is an important part of understanding how to care for your diabetes. The CDE will help you be aware of symptoms for high and low blood sugar levels and how best to manage your condition.
It’s also important for your family, friends and coworkers to understand how to help you if you need help. Let them know about the symptoms of high and low blood sugar.
In terms of food and drink, here are some tips for preventing diabetic coma:
- Learn about foods that affect your blood sugar and the best meal plan for you.
- Dont skip meals.
- Keep treatment for a low blood sugar with you at all times .
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
- Ask your healthcare provider to prescribe a glucagon kit and teach a support person how to use it in case you ever have severe low blood sugar.
These are other recommendations to help you manage your blood glucose levels:
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/02/2020.
References
What Can I Do To Stay Healthy
There are several other things you can do to stay healthy:
-
Eat foods that are low in saturated and trans fats, salt, and sugar. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, lean meats, fish, and skinless chicken are good choices.
-
Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
-
Dont smoke.
-
Ask your doctor about taking one aspirin every day if you are older than 40.
-
Protect your feet and check them regularly for signs of infection.
-
Go to the eye doctor and dentist every year.
-
See your doctor regularly.
- Get immediate access, anytime, anywhere.
- Choose a single article, issue, or full-access subscription.
- Earn up to 6 CME credits per issue.
Don’t Miss: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon
Pancreatic Anatomy And Type 1 Diabetes
When you eat a meal, they release insulin, which helps to shuttle glucose from the bloodstream into cells to be used for energy production. Between meals, glucagon helps to maintain a minimum level of glucose in circulation.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the bodys own immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. It is widely accepted that cells in the adult pancreas replicate at an extremely low rate , and that new cell formation occurs very rarely . The cell depletion and resulting loss of insulin secretion characteristic of type 1 diabetes is therefore thought to be irreversible.
Exciting developments in stem cell therapy may have potential for treating type 1 diabetes, but this invasive procedure would require complete removal of the dysfunctional pancreas, stem cell transplant, and activation of a complex genetic program to generate a new one. Enter the fasting mimicking diet.
Complications Which Might Be A Cause Of Worry For Diabetes:
The following complications in diabetes might be a factor why people should beware and treat diabetes in the most effective manner.
Kidney Disease:
As per the American Diabetes Association, 44 percent of the diabetes patients tend to suffer from serious kidney disorders.
Heart-Related Condition:
There are several heart-related diseases which might affect our body if we suffer from diabetes. The blood vessels and the nerves supplying blood might get damaged resulting in serious conditions including death.
Nerve Damage:
The problem of high glucose and pressure levels can lead to damage in the various nerves of the body, including those that control the heart, kidney, arms, legs, amongst other nerves. When this condition occurs, there are chances that death might take place due to diabetes.
Diabetes Ketoacidosis:
Sometimes, there are chances that the problem of high blood glucose level might lead to high levels of ketone cells being developed in the body. This leads to the problem of Diabetes Ketoacidosis which is often very dangerous and might even lead to death.
Other Serious Complications:
Several other complications might lead to serious damage to the nerves and vessels leading to the death of diabetic patients. Some of these complications include gum diseases, amputations of different body parts, as well as other deadly complications.
Read Also: Crystal Light Good For Diabetics