Diabetic Attack. Signs and Symptoms and Causes of Diabetic Attack
Healthful Vitality | 10/10/2021 | By NP Contributor | Diabetic Attack
The diabetic attack is a term that people may use to describe some of the acute complications of diabetes. These complications may be life-threatening and often require immediate medical attention, thus a need to understand the diabetic attack.
Healthy individuals have blood sugar levels between 60 to 140 mg/dl. Levels above 140 mg/ml indicate diabetes. However, if sugar levels go incredibly high, like 200 or 300 mg/ml, it may cause diabetes attacks. In fact, type 1 diabetes is often first diagnosed due to a diabetes attack caused by high sugar levels. On the contrary, if sugar levels go below 60 mg/dl, it is equally dangerous.
Causes of diabetes attack
Thus, the two main causes of diabetes attack are high blood sugar levels causing diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) or very low sugar levels causing hypoglycemia.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
In diabetes, despite the high blood sugar levels, body cells are starving. Insulin deficiency or resistance means that glucose fails to enter body cells. Insulin is like a key that opens doors allowing glucose to enter cells.
When cells start starving due to insulin deficiency or inaction, they send signals to the brain, demanding an energy supply. The brain responds by using an alternative energy supply by ordering the liver to start producing ketone bodies. The human body can utilize these ketone bodies to fulfill its energy needs.
However, a very high level of ketone bodies may cause a shift in acid-base balance, as ketone bodies are acidic. The high acidity of blood may cause life-threatening complications and may even lead to coma. Therefore, recommendations say that one should regularly monitor urine for ketones if blood sugar levels go above 240 mg/dl. DKA is more common in type 1 diabetes but may occur in type 2 diabetes.
Some of the signs and symptoms of diabetic attack are:
- Fruity breath
- Rapid breathing
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent urination
- Dry skin and mouth, and severe dehydration
- Muscle aches
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a diabetic attack that is more commonly related to diabetes treatment. Some medications may especially cause high insulin levels and hypoglycemia. However, more severe hypoglycemia occurs in those on insulin, that is, people with type 1 diabetes or severe type 2 diabetes.
In those on insulin, dosing is quite a challenge. Usually, a person would take a fixed amount of insulin. However, sometimes that may be too much as one does not consume similar kinds of foods each day. That is why those on insulin should always take a sugary drink or glucose tablets with them.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia are:
- Fast breathing
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness and nausea
- Irritability
- Weakness and hunger
- Blurry vision
- Coordination problems
- Seizures
Unmanaged DKA or hypoglycemia may lead to a medical emergency. It may cause a diabetic coma. It is a life-threatening condition. If not treated urgently, it may result in fatal outcomes. Generally, it is good to seek medical help if blood glucose remains above 300 mg/dl even with treatment. Similarly, if drinking sugary drinks or taking glucose tablets does not help with hypoglycemia, one should immediately be taken to an emergency.
Related: Can Intermittent Fasting Cause Diabetes?