Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 1

Diabetic Emergencies

First Aid

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 2

Diabetes Mellitus

• High levels of sugar in the blood.

• Sugar is the main source of energy that we use in our bodies.

• This disease affects millions in the UK each year.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 3

Diabetes Classification

• Diabetes type 1• Diabetes Type 2• Gestational Diabetes• Diabetes Miscellaneous

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 4

Diabetes Symptoms

• Excessive Thirst• Frequent urination• Excessive hunger• Weight loss• Fatigue• Itching of the skin• Etc.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 5

Diabetes Emergencies

• Hypoglycemia• Diabetic Ketoacidosis• Hyperosmolar Coma

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 6

WHO IS AT RISK?

• When diabetes is poorly controlled, emergency conditions can arise quickly that require immediate treatment.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 7

HOW TO KNOW IF A PERSON SUFFER OF DIABETES?

• People with diabetes should wear or carry I.D. information (such as an alert bracelet) that emergency medical staff can find.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 8

HOW TO KNOW IF A PERSON SUFFER OF DIABETES?

• In addition, people with diabetes should always carry a sugar source, such as glucose tablets or raisins.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 9

Hypoglycemia

• Symptoms– Weak– Drowsy– Confused– Hungry– Dizzy– Paleness– Trembling– Sweating

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 10

Hypoglycemia

• Symptoms– Headache– Irritability– Rapid heartbeat– Cold clammy feeling– Loss of consciousness– coma

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 11

WHAT TO DO?

• First:– Check– Call– Care

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 12

WHAT TO DO?

• Then: Rapid ABC Assessment

• Is the patient’s airway patent?

• Is the patient’s breathing effective?

• Is the patient’s circulation effective?

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 13

What to do? (conscious victim)

• Looking for the signs and symptoms listed above will help to distinguish the two diabetic emergencies. In addition, if the patient is conscious, you can ask two very important questions which will help determine the nature of the problem:

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 14

"HAVE YOU EATEN TODAY?"

Someone who has eaten, but has not taken prescribed medication may be in a diabetic coma.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 15

"HAVE YOU TAKEN YOUR MEDICATION TODAY?"

Someone who has not eaten, but did take their medication, may be having HYPOGLYCEMIA.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 16

DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIABETIC EMERGENCIES CAN BE DIFFICULT.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 17

• A PERSON IN INSULIN SHOCK NEEDS SUGAR, QUICKLY! IF THE PERSON IS CONSCIOUS, GIVE SUGAR IN ANY FORM: CANDY, FRUIT JUICE OR A SOFT DRINK!

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 18

• SUGAR GIVEN TO A PERSON IN INSULIN SHOCK CAN BE LIFE-SAVING! IF THE PERSON IS SUFFERING FROM DIABETIC COMA, THE SUGAR IS NOT REQUIRED BUT WILL NOT CAUSE THEM FURTHER HARM.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 19

REMEMBER

• DO NOT give anything by mouth if the victim is unconscious.

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 20

Illness Information

• When did the symptoms begin? • Does the patient take diabetic medications? • Did anything cause the symptoms, eg,

vomiting, inability to eat, no available medications, overdose of insulin or hypoglycemic agents?

• Has any treatment been initiated and has it helped?

• When was the last finger-stick blood sugar and what was the result?

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 21

Illness Information

• Has the patient had similar problems before? • Does the patient have any pertinent past history? • Does the patient take any routine medications? • Does the patient have allergies to drugs or foods? • When was the patient’s last tetanus immunization? • If the patient is female and between the ages of 12 to 50

years, when was the first day of her last menstrual period?

Stratford Upon Avon First Aid 22

Thanks