Spice Girls - Melanie Chisholm Helped Save Brother From Diabetes Coma

The British singer noticed her younger sibling Paul was suffering many symptoms of the disease while they were on holiday in Mauritius for her 30th birthday, after becoming aware of the effects of the illness following the diagnosis of a close friend.

Paul was checked by doctors as soon as he returned to their native U.K., and was told his blood sugar levels were so erratic he could have slipped into a coma at any time.

She tells Britain's Daily Mirror, "Paul is a really bubbly person - always laughing, joking, and great fun. But on that holiday, in January 2004, we all noticed how down and lethargic he was. He was sleeping a lot and losing weight despite downing huge bottles of Coke from the minibar.

"But it wasn't until we got home and he started telling me about other symptoms that it all fell into place. I said to him, 'You know what? I think you need to go to the doctors because it sounds like diabetes."

Paul was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and now manages his illness with insulin injections, and he credits his famous sister with saving his life.

He adds, "I'm so grateful to Mel for insisting I go to the doctor. I was on the verge of going into a coma. I now know that delaying treatment for type 1 diabetes can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, or Dka, a potentially life-threatening complication."