Diabetic is referred to as a medical condition that affects blood glucose levels. In this condition patient's body is unable to maintain blood sugar balance always they have to manage the condition through diet, medications, physical activity.
A diabetic emergency is a condition that sometimes can see among persons who suffer diabetes and it requires first aid.
What happens in a diabetic emergency?
In most cases, a person's blood sugar becomes too low, which is called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can occur in conditions such as skipping a meal, exercising excessively. If the person doesn’t seek any medical aid this condition can become very severe.
Symptoms and signs of a diabetic emergency
High blood sugar/ hyperglycemia
▪️ Excessive thirst
▪️ Tiredness
▪️ Blurred vision
▪️ Hot and dry skin
▪️ The smell of acetone on the breath
Low blood sugar/ hypoglycemia
▪️ Weakness, Shaking
▪️ Sweating
▪️ Headache
▪️ Faintness, dizziness
▪️ Lack of concentration
▪️ Terrines or crying
▪️ Inability or altered behavior
▪️ Hunger
▪️ Numbness around lips and fingers
How we can identify if the person has a long-term diabetic condition?
Listen carefully to what the patient says.
They may have some forms of indications that give information about this condition.
They may be carrying an insulin pen, glucose gel, or glucose tablets.
What can we do for a person who suffers from a diabetic emergency?
High blood sugar
If the person already has medication, ask if they need assistance administrating it.
Encourage to drink water
If the symptoms worsen seek medical treatment.
Encourage patients who have not been diagnosed with diabetes to get medical aid.
Low blood sugar
Help the patient to lie or sit comfortably.
Reassure the patient
Loosen tight clothing
Give sugary drinks, sugary foods, and also glucose tablets every 15 minutes.
Avoid giving diet drinks
Give sugar every 15 minutes continuously until patient recover
Give foods rich in carbohydrates
Call for an ambulance if there is no improvement in symptoms or the patient become unconscious.
What kinds of foods give to diabetic emergency patients?
High blood sugar
If he is conscious give him/her plenty of water to drink, a little at a time.
Low blood sugar
Sugary drinks
▪️ Lemonade
▪️ Fruit juice
▪️ Isotonic sport drinks
Sugary foods
▪️ Jelly beans
▪️ Chocolate
▪️ Sugar cubes
Foods rich in carbohydrate
▪️ Sandwich
▪️ Fresh and dry fruits
▪️ Dry biscuits and cheese
Steps should be taken when the patient becomes unresponsive in a diabetic emergency
In a diabetic emergency condition, when a person is unresponsive they can no longer breathe. Because their muscles relax and the tongue blocks the airway.
First aid for A adult diabetic emergency patient,
Check the patient's breathing. Tilt the patient’s head back. If the patient is breathing you can examine it because you will see the chest moving upward and hear or feel their breathing.
If the patient is breathing move them onto their side and tilt head backward. This will lead to an open airway by moving the tongue forward and draining out blood and vomit.
If the patient is not breathing give chest compression, ONLY IF YOU ARE WELL TRAINED ON THAT SUBJECT.
Call for an ambulance as soon as possible through 1990.
If the patient is unconscious DO NOT give anything to drink/eat.
References:-
https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid/diabetic-emergency
https://www.stjohn.org.nz/first-aid/first-aid-library/diabetes/
Nethmi Rashmika
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