Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

diabetic coma
Deep unconsciousness that results
from uncontrolled diabetes associated with ketones
in the bloodstream. The best treatment is prevention.
Careful diet, medication, and insulin dosing, as
needed, should prevent ketone buildup. Patients
with diabetes and their family members should be
aware of the early signs of ketone buildup, including
weight loss, nausea, confusion, gasping for breath, a
characteristically sweet, chemical odor, similar to
that of acetone or alcohol (acetone breath), to the
patient’s breath, and sometimes sweat. Lethargy,
confusion, and convulsions may precede diabetic
coma. To prevent death, immediate emergency med-
ical treatment is needed in a hospital setting for
patients who show the early signs of diabetic coma.
diabetic dermopathy
A skin condition charac-
teristic of diabetes featuring light brown, reddish
oval, or round scaly patches, most often on the
shins or front of the thighs and less often on the
scalp, forearm, and trunk. The cause of diabetic
dermopathy is thought to be a type of inflammation
affecting tiny blood vessels in the skin. There is no
known effective treatment, but the patches can
resolve after a few years.
diabetic nephropathy
Kidney disease from long-
standing diabetes. Diabetes affects the tiny blood ves-
sels in the glomerulus, a key structure in the kidney
composed of capillary blood vessels. This structure is
critical for blood filtration. Features of diabetic
nephropathy include nephrotic syndrome, which is
characterized by excessive protein in the urine, high
blood pressure, and progressively impaired kidney
function. With severe diabetic nephropathy, kidney
failure, end-stage renal disease requiring kidney dial-
ysis or a kidney transplant may result. Also known as
intercapillary glomerulonephritis, Kimmelstiel-
Wilson disease, and Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome.