Medical Emergencies

Diabetic Emergencies

Diabetes is a condition in which there is either not enough insulin in the blood or there is enough insulin, but the cells cannot use the insulin properly. Produced in the pancreas, insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. With diabetes, sugar builds up in the blood and the cells don’t get the energy they need, or the blood sugar levels can go abnormally low.

A person with diabetes may take medication by mouth or injection, and carefully controls what they eat (the source of energy) and their level of exercise (the use of energy). A diabetic emergency occurs when there is too much or too little insulin in the blood.

  • Hypoglycemia – Not enough sugar, too much insulin
  • Hyperglycemia – Too much sugar, not enough insulin

Signs and Symptoms of Hypo- and Hyperglycemia

Hypoglycemia

Hyperglycemia
  • Strong and rapid pulse
  • Shallow breathing
  • Skin is sweaty, cool, lacking colour
  • Fainting or unconscious state
  • Headache
  • Confused, irritable, aggressive
  • Trembling, staggering
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Weak and rapid pulse
  • Deep, sighing breathing
  • Skin is dry, warm, flushed
  • Drowsiness, becoming unconscious
  • Thirst
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Frequent urination
  • Breath may have an acetone (nail polish
    remover) odour

First Aid for a Diabetic Emergency

The aim of first aid in a diabetic emergency is to keep the casualty’s condition from worsening.

If the casualty is conscious, ask what is wrong. If they identify that they are having a hyperglycemic emergency, monitor and call
9-1-1. They require hospital care.

If they say they are having a hypoglycemic emergency, or cannot tell you, provide food or drinks containing sugar. They must be conscious enough to swallow the sugar without choking.

A diabetic casualty may have glucose tablets for treating hypoglycemia. Help them take their tablets if they are able to respond and swallow; repeat if symptoms persist after 15 minutes.

Good Sugar Sources

 If glucose tablets are not available, use other types of dietary sugars such as: 

  • Soft candies
  • Chocolate
  • Orange juice (add sugar if needed)
  • Non-diet pop
  • Tubes of icing sugar
  • Sugar packets