A diabetic seizure looks different in every person, depending on the circumstances that led to the seizure in the first place.
However, the experience of having a seizure can be similar no matter what type of diabetes you have or your medical history.
Here’s what you need to know about diabetic seizures, including what to expect during and after one and how to respond appropriately when someone has one in front of you.
The signs
Confusion – In general, symptoms of diabetic seizures include the following: anxiety, slurred speech, convulsions, uncontrolled shaking of limbs or trunks, blank staring episodes (also called absences), and loss of consciousness.
But what if you have diabetes but don’t have any of these symptoms? Or even worse: what if you’ve had them before?
Confusion is one of the most common side effects that accompanies diabetes. Confusion can be an effect of high blood sugar levels or low blood sugar levels.
Muscle weakness – Another symptom of diabetes is muscle weakness, which also happens to be a symptom of some types of seizures as well.
If you feel weak or tired without a good reason, consult your doctor. The signs are there: it’s up to you to take action to better manage your condition and ensure your safety.
Staring into space – There are many different warning signs to watch for when someone has a diabetic seizure.
One of these warning signs includes sudden staring into space, which can happen after a brief period of confusion. Additionally, this same sign may happen during any type of seizure.
Those with diabetes need to learn how their body reacts during different episodes so they know how best to react to reduce the risk of injury.
Loss of consciousness – When the seizure ends, a person might seem confused about what just happened and often will not remember anything about the event.
Afterward, he or she might experience headaches and memory problems due to trauma from seizures.
Protection from harm – No matter whether or not you have ever experienced these warning signs before, you need to protect yourself from harm by managing your diabetes more closely.
With frequent checkups and attention to dietary choices, you can reduce both your risks of having a diabetic seizure as well as other complications associated with diabetes.
Uncontrollable body movements – A diabetic seizure is often accompanied by uncontrollable body movements.
During this time, a person may also drool excessively and lose bladder control while his or her arms, legs, and back muscles jerk involuntarily.
The recovery phase – At the end of the episode, a person usually feels very tired and dizzy. They may have blurred vision and feel sick to their stomach because of the damage caused by glucose deprivation on the brain cells.
The symptoms
1. Sweating –
One of the most notable symptoms of an impending diabetic seizure is an increase in sweating that can be caused by a rise in body temperature or an increased heart rate.
1.1 – Clammy skin –
In addition to excessive sweating, clammy skin can also be an indication of an oncoming seizure.
1.2 – Dizziness –
A feeling of dizziness can also be present before a diabetic seizure occurs. The person may feel lightheaded as if they’re going to pass out at any moment.
2. Clamminess –
Clamminess is one of the most prominent signs of hypoglycemia. When blood sugar levels are too low, your body loses its ability to regulate temperature.
This causes an increased production of sweat, which can lead to clammy skin or skin that feels cool to the touch.
3. Drowsiness
Drowsiness is one of the most common signs of hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar. Drowsiness is often followed by disorientation, confusion, or slurred speech.
People with type 1 diabetes often experience generalized weakness as well. A person experiencing a hypoglycemic episode might have difficulty staying awake or keeping their eyes open.
They might start to stagger or have jerky movements and they may drool because they can’t swallow properly.
4. Confusion
Confusion is one of the most common symptoms of a diabetic seizure. If you are experiencing confusion as well as other symptoms, then you may be having a low blood sugar attack.
If your confusion is accompanied by any of these other symptoms, then it’s very likely that you’re in the midst of a diabetic event: disorientation, slurred speech, loss of coordination, an inability to focus on what’s happening around you, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
Remember that these symptoms can come on quickly and without warning.
5. Bodily shakes
Bodily shakes are a common symptom of seizures. They typically last for three to five minutes. A person who has had a diabetic seizure may feel disoriented, confused, or dizzy after experiencing this symptom.
Sometimes, symptoms of hypoglycemia may be present as well as an individual’s behavior will often change during this time.
6. Hallucinations
Hallucinations are false perceptions of images, sounds, or other sensations that seem real. They can occur during any type of seizure.
7. Rapid and unexpected emotional changes
Rapid emotional changes are one of the most common signs of an impending diabetic seizure. These emotional shifts can happen quickly, without warning, and often without time to intervene.
When this happens, it is important to know what to do to prevent an episode from happening.
It is important for people who live with diabetes to recognize how these seizures happen to be able to quickly respond if they experience them themselves or see someone else going through one.
A typical emotional shift happens when someone’s blood sugar level drops too low.