First Aid Tips for Diabetic Emergency

The prevalence of diabetes in Australia has increased over the past years. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) National Health Survey, an estimate of 1.2 million (6%) of Australian adults aged 18 years old and above had diabetes in 2018.

Diabetes is a lifelong medical condition characterized by the body's inability to produce glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Normally, the body automatically regulates the right blood sugar levels in the body. But with someone who is suffering from diabetes, the body is unable due to do such. People with diabetes cannot process and metabolize glucose due to chronic inflammation of the pancreas.

Our pancreas is the one responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that causes glucose to move from the bloodstream to the cells. When a person has diabetes, either the pancreas fails to make enough insulin, or the body cells are unable to respond to insulin. Either situation can result in excess glucose that can accumulate to dangerously high levels.

Learn first aid to help someone who is having a diabetic emergency. Read on to find out diabetes symptoms and what to do about it.

1. Look for Symptoms

If you suspect someone is having a medical emergency, you need to look for the symptoms to decide if the person’s blood sugar is too high or too low.

For high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

• i. Drowsiness, leading to unresponsiveness if not attended
• ii. Rapid pulse and breathing
• iii. Warm, dry skin

For low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

• i. Weakness or faintness
• ii. Confusion
• iii. Irrational behaviour
• iv. Cold, clammy skin
• v. Deteriorating level of response

2. Give the victim sugary food or drinks

If you’re unsure whether the victim is having high or low blood sugar, give them sugary sweet drinks or food. This will quickly relieve low blood sugar and unlikely to cause harm to high blood sugar.

3. Call 000 for medical help

A very high or very low blood sugar level can present an immediate danger. If the victim loses consciousness, you or any bystander should dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for emergency medical help.

4. Stay with the victim and Reassure them

If the victim is unable to sit or stand, it’s best to put them in a recovery position. Try to stay with the victim and reassure them. You will be able to oversee if the situation gets worse and it will make the victim feel better while waiting for the paramedics to arrive.

In the past, diabetes was often fatal. But due to the recent progress in science and medication, most people with diabetes can now live a normal life.

The best way to effectively manage a diabetic emergency is to understand how this medical condition works. It's important to have a thorough knowledge of this condition before providing any care to a diabetic.

Knowing the signs and being able to respond promptly can help save a life. It helps to be prepared. Enrol in a First Aid Training course and learn how to do first aid in a diabetic emergency.

Sharon McCulloch is an experienced Emergency Care Registered Nurse, and First Aid Instructor. She runs her First Aid Training Organisation First Aid Pro.