Diabetic Emergency
A diabetic emergency happens when someone with diabetes has a serious problem with their blood sugar. Blood sugar is the amount of sugar in a person’s blood. People with diabetes sometimes have too much or too little blood sugar, and this can cause urgent health problems. A diabetic emergency is when these problems become very bad and need quick help.
In first aid, it is important to know how to recognise a diabetic emergency and what to do. Acting quickly can help stop the person from getting worse. It can even save their life.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a long-term condition where the body has trouble controlling sugar in the blood. Normally, the body uses insulin, a hormone, to help sugar go from the blood into the cells for energy. In diabetes, this does not work properly. There are two main types of diabetes.
Type 1 means the body does not make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day.
Type 2 means the body does not use insulin well or does not make enough. This type is more common and often happens in adults.
Both types can cause the blood sugar to get too high or too low. If this happens quickly or gets worse, it can lead to a diabetic emergency.
What are the Types of Diabetic Emergencies?
There are two main types of diabetic emergencies. These are called hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar. This happens when the sugar in the blood falls too low.
Hyperglycemia means high blood sugar. This happens when the sugar in the blood is very high for a long time.
Both low and high blood sugar can be dangerous. It is important to know what signs to look for.
What Happens During Hypoglycemia?
Low blood sugar means the body does not have enough sugar to use as energy. This can happen if a person has not eaten enough, has exercised too much, or taken too much insulin.
When blood sugar is low, the brain does not get enough fuel. This can cause confusion, weakness, or shakiness. The person may feel tired, sweaty, or hungry. They may look pale or faint.
If not treated, low blood sugar can cause them to lose consciousness or have seizures. This is very serious and needs help right away.
What Happens During Hyperglycemia?
High blood sugar means there is too much sugar in the blood. This can happen if a person eats a lot of food, misses their insulin, or is sick.
When blood sugar is too high, the body tries to get rid of the extra sugar by passing lots of urine. The person may be very thirsty and need to pee a lot. They may also feel tired, have a headache or a dry mouth.
If high blood sugar stays for a long time, it can cause a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. This happens when the body starts to break down fat for energy instead of sugar. It can make the person very unwell with tummy pain, vomiting, and rapid breathing. This is very serious and needs urgent medical help.
Signs You May See in a Diabetic Emergency
You may notice some or all of these signs if someone is having a diabetic emergency.
Signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include:
Feeling shaky or jittery
Sweating more than usual
Looking pale or cold
Feeling hungry
Feeling weak or tired
Turning confused or unable to speak clearly
Becoming drowsy or fainting
Having a seizure (convulsions)
Signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include:
Being very thirsty
Passing a lot of urine
Feeling tired or weak
Having a dry mouth
Feeling sick or vomiting
Having a belly ache
Breathing fast or having breath that smells fruity
When to Call for Help
If you think someone might be having a diabetic emergency, get help quickly.
Call 000 if:
They are unconscious or have a seizure. This means they do not respond and may be shaking or jerking.
They are very confused and cannot answer simple questions.
They are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down.
They have heavy breathing, tummy pain, or cannot stay awake.
If the person has other serious health problems or you are worried, call 000.
If the person is awake and alert but showing signs of low blood sugar, help them treat it quickly. If they do not get better within a few minutes, call 000.
How to Help in a Diabetic Emergency
If someone is awake and able to swallow, a quick way to help is to give them sugar. This could be sugary drinks, fruit juice, or glucose tablets if available.
Giving sugar helps raise their blood sugar levels back to normal.
If the person is too drowsy or unconscious, do not try to give them anything by mouth. They could choke.
Keep them safe by placing them on their side. This is called the recovery position. It helps stop choking if they vomit.
Stay with the person while you wait for help to arrive.
Always be calm and reassuring. Speak slowly and gently.
How to Keep Safe When Helping
Before helping, check that the area is safe for you and the person needing help.
Wear gloves if you have them, especially if there is blood or vomit.
Do not force someone to eat or drink if they cannot swallow or are unconscious.
Call for emergency help if you are not sure about what to do or if the person is very unwell.
Remember to stay calm to help the person feel safe.
How to Help Prevent Diabetic Emergencies
People with diabetes can often avoid emergencies by:
Taking their medicines as their doctor says.
Eating regular meals.
Checking their blood sugar levels if they have a machine.
Recognising symptoms early and treating them fast.
Carrying some form of sugar with them to treat low blood sugar quickly.
Why Understanding Diabetic Emergencies is Important
Diabetic emergencies can happen to anyone with diabetes at any time. Knowing the signs and what to do can make a big difference.
Even if you do not have diabetes yourself, you might help a friend, family member, or stranger in an emergency.
Your quick action could save a life or prevent the person becoming much sicker.
Remember, always call 000 quickly if the situation is serious.
What to Do After a Diabetic Emergency
After the emergency is under control, the person may need to see a doctor or go to hospital.
It is important that their diabetes is checked and their treatment reviewed.
If the person has a diabetes care plan, follow it as best you can.
If you helped someone, try to stay calm and get support for yourself if needed.
Summary
A diabetic emergency happens when the blood sugar is too low or too high. It can cause serious problems very quickly.
Look for signs like shakiness, confusion, extreme thirst, or unconsciousness.
If you see these signs, help by giving sugar if they are awake or placing them in the recovery position if not.
Call 000 for emergency help if the person is unconscious, having seizures, or very sick.
Staying calm and acting fast can make a big difference in a diabetic emergency.
Understanding these emergencies helps you be safe and ready to help others if they need it.