Doctors revive 47-year-old man from diabetic coma

NEW DELHI: Sound medical knowledge and promptness at the emergency helped doctors at a private hospital to revive a 47-year-old highly diabetic man from coma and near-absolute respiratory arrest.

According to doctors, Ramesh, an employee of a multi-national organisation, was brought to the emergency at seven in the morning in a gasping state and doctors were quick to identify that he was suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a rapidly progressive disease in which fluid leaks into the lungs and makes breathing difficult or impossible.

“The patient had very high sugar levels – 500 – at that moment. He was almost minutes away from complete respiratory arrest. He was promptly put on ventilator since he was in diabetic coma, a life-threatening complication that causes unconsciousness,” said endocrinologist in Columbia Asia Hospital, Dr Abhay Ahluwalia.

Dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma and a patient affected by it cannot awaken or respond purposefully to sights, sounds or other types of stimulation.

Diabetic coma is a medical emergency and if left untreated can become fatal. After four days, his condition became stable. He was discharged after 10 days.