The most important thing to do is to administer glucose to the person or to call 911 if there is no safe way to give glucose. If a seizure ever lasts more than three minutes, emergency medical services should be called immediately, regardless if the person is known to have seizures or not.
What should you do if you find a diabetic person unconscious or having a seizure?
- Place them on their side making sure their airway is clear.
- Give an injection of Glucagon if available and you are trained to give it.
- Phone for an ambulance (dial 000) stating the person is unconscious AND that the person has diabetes.
What do you do when a diabetic has a seizure?
When the symptoms start to present themselves, simply eating the sugar can help to increase the blood sugar back to normal levels. Those who find that they have this problem occurring frequently can speak with their doctor about getting glucose tablets .
What do you do when someone goes into a diabetic coma?
- Call 911. “A coma is a medical emergency. ...
- Test The Person’s Blood Sugar. “If you have an idea of how to care for somebody with diabetes, call 911, and then try to test her blood sugar,” suggests Greta. ...
- Move The Person To A Safe Position.
How is a diabetic emergency treated?
Emergency treatment for severe hyperglycemia
Emergency treatment can lower your blood sugar to a normal range. Treatment usually includes: Fluid replacement . You’ll receive fluids — usually through a vein (intravenously) — until you’re rehydrated.
What are the signs of a diabetic emergency?
- hunger.
- clammy skin.
- profuse sweating.
- drowsiness or confusion.
- weakness or feeling faint.
- sudden loss of responsiveness.
At what sugar level is diabetic coma?
A diabetic coma could happen when your blood sugar gets too high — 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more — causing you to become very dehydrated. It usually affects people with type 2 diabetes that isn’t well-controlled. It’s common among those who are elderly, chronically ill, and disabled.
What are the three main diabetic emergencies?
In this article, we focus on five diabetic emergencies: 1) diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA); 2) hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS); 3) hyperglycemia without obvious acidosis; 4) hypoglycemia ; and 5) other selected medical emergencies in diabetes.
What is a diabetic shock?
Diabetic shock occurs when blood sugar levels drop dangerously low . Diabetic shock is not a medical term, but people often use it to describe a state of severe hypoglycemia that requires another person’s help.
When should I go to ER for blood sugar?
McQueen explains that when “blood sugars are in the 300’s and they have symptoms (nausea, vomiting, persistent diarrhea, chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness), they should definitely come to the emergency department.”
Can you go into a diabetic coma while sleeping?
Low blood glucose at night
When blood glucose levels fall below 70 mg/dl while sleeping at night, the person experiences a condition called nocturnal hypoglycemia . Studies suggest that almost half of all episodes of low blood glucose — and more than half of all severe episodes — occur at night during sleep.
How long is a diabetic coma?
Diabetic ketoacidosis, if it progresses and worsens without treatment, can eventually cause unconsciousness, from a combination of a very high blood sugar level, dehydration and shock, and exhaustion. Coma only occurs at an advanced stage, usually after 36 hours or more of worsening vomiting and hyperventilation.
Is dying from a diabetic coma painful?
Symptoms include sunken eyes, rapid breathing, headache, muscle aches, severe dehydration, weak peripheral pulses, nausea, stomach pain and cramping, vomiting, semi or unconsciousness, cerebral edema, coma and death. DKA is a horrendously painful way to die .
At what sugar level should I go to the hospital?
According to the University of Michigan, blood sugar levels of 300 mg/dL or more can be dangerous. They recommend calling a doctor if you have two readings in a row of 300 or more. Call your doctor if you’re worried about any symptoms of high blood sugar. They can offer advice and reassurance.
What are the two diabetic emergencies?
There are two types of hyperglycemic emergencies: diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) . These situations require emergency medical intervention, since they can lead to serious conditions such as coma, even death, if left untreated.
What is considered a diabetic emergency?
Diabetic ketoacidosis , or DKA, is a life-threatening emergency caused when you don’t have enough insulin and your liver has to break down fat into ketones for energy, but too fast for the body to handle. A buildup of ketones can change your blood chemistry and poison you.
