Definition: 'Diabetic Coma'
diabetic coma
Type: Term
Definitions:
1. coma that develops in severe and inadequately treated cases of diabetes mellitus and is commonly fatal, unless appropriate therapy is instituted promptly; results from reduced oxidative metabolism of the central nervous system that, in turn, stems from severe ketoacidosis and possibly also from the histotoxic action of the ketone bodies and disturbances in water and electrolyte balance.
Synonyms:
Kussmaul coma
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