Diabetes is a condition that affects 20% of Americans. Patients with diabetes do not produce sufficient insulin or are not able to use their insulin to breakdown food into sugar. Consequently, blood sugar in a diabetic patient must be regulated by insulin injection or medications. If the blood sugar in diabetic patients is not properly controlled, diabetic emergencies such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can occur.
Instructions
1. Look for symptoms of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include rapid pulse, poor coordination, staggering, headache, nausea, dizziness, sweating and shallow breathing. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include agitation, abdominal pain, seizures, weakness, uncontrolled bladder, headache. In severe cases, patients may lose consciousness as a result of either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. However, with hyperglycemia, unconsciousness develops more gradually than in the case of hypoglycemia. Hyperglycemia most likely occurs when the patient forgets to take medication or skip insulin shots.Hypoglycemia most likely occurs when the patient skips a meal or doing more physical activities than usual.
2. Give the patient juice, candy or any food or drink that has sugar if you don't know whether he has hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. If he is unconscious, put some sugar under his tongue.
3. Give the patient food and drink containing sugar immediately if you know that she has hypoglycemia. Check whether she has glucagon. Glucagon injection will help to increase the glucose level in a short time.
4. Inject the patient with insulin or give him his usual medications if you know that the patient has hyperglycemia. This will help to stabilize the sugar level.
5. Call 911 if the symptoms remain the same. Perform CPR if necessary. Keep the victim from going into shock by laying her down and elevating her legs. Use a blanket to keep her warm.
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