Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Diabetic Coma

When blood sugar levels rise to extreme heights without significant ketones present, a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic diabetic coma can occur, a serious medical emergency frequently associated with diabetes mellitus, especially in its adult-onset form.

When should you seek care? Immediately. Intense drowsiness, confusion, excessive thirst, marked dehydration, or loss of consciousness in a person with diabetes require emergency care without delay.

What it is: this is a metabolic disturbance that causes severe dehydration and altered states of consciousness, so it requires hospital management.

Which specialist treats it? The emergency physician and the critical care specialist intervene in the acute phase, while the endocrinologist or internist provide follow-up care afterward. Getting timely care from these professionals makes all the difference.