WORLD DIABETES DAY

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Every 14th of November is World Diabetes Day and a lot of info is put out on how to best manage the condition, what predisposes a person to diabetes, latest trends in its management etc.

So here, we share our thoughts on diabetes, but with a bias on managing DIABETIC EMERGENCIES

Diabetes is a lifelong medical condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin. Insulin is a chemical made by the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach), which regulates the blood sugar (glucose) level in the body. Normally our bodies automatically keep the right blood sugar levels, but for someone with diabetes their body can't. Instead, they have to control the blood sugar level themselves by monitoring what they eat, and taking insulin injections or pills. Sometimes people who have diabetes may have a diabetic emergency, where their blood sugar becomes either too high or too low. Both conditions are potentially serious and may need treatment in hospital.

Targets For Blood \sugar Levels                                      


People without diabetes                       
People without diabetes                       
Fasting(before breakfast)                                        
<100mg/dL                                     
70-130mg/dL
Before Meal (Before lunch, supper or snack
< 110mg/dL 
70-130mg/dL
After meal (1-2 hrs)
<140mg/dL
 <180mg/dL
Bedtime  
 <120mg/dL   
90-150mg/dL











Signs & Symptoms
Extreme rise in the level of your blood sugar or extreme lowering of the level of your blood sugar is generally the usual sign and symptom noticed before a sudden diabetic coma attack.

High Blood Sugar or Hyperglycemia Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Coma
  • Increased thirst for water
  • Frequent urgency of urinating
  • Tiredness
  • Vertigo and feeling of vomiting
  • Breathlessness
  • Pain in stomach
  • Breath odour seems to be fruity
  • Feeling of dry mouth
  • Increased heartbeat
Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Coma
  • Nervousness or weakness
  • Anxiousness
  • Tiredness
  • Increased production of body sweat
  • Starvation
  • Nausea
  • Light headedness
  • Trouble in normal speaking
  • Ambiguity/ confusion

Causes
Hyperglycemia
Too little insulin can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If it’s not treated and gets worse; the person can gradually become unresponsive (going into a diabetic coma). So it's important to get them to see a doctor in case they need emergency treatment.

Hyperglycemia
Too much insulin can cause low blood sugar or hyperglycemia (hypo). This often happens when someone with diabetes misses a meal or does too much exercise. It can also happen after someone has had an epileptic seizure or has been binge drinking. If someone knows they are diabetic, they may recognize the start of a hypo attack, but without help they may quickly become weak and unresponsive.

Treatment
Dial the emergency medical service (EMS) or the doctor immediately.

What you need to do ‒ for high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
Call EMS straight away for medical help and say that you suspect hyperglycemia.
While you wait for help to arrive, keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response.
If they lose responsiveness at any point, open their airway, check their breathing and prepare to treat someone who’s become unresponsive - administer CPR

What you need to do ‒ for low blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
Help them sit down. If they have their own glucose gel, help them take it. If not, you need to give them something sugary like fruit juice, a fizzy drink, three teaspoons of sugar, or sugary sweets.
If they improve quickly, give them more sugary food or drink and let them rest. If they have their glucose testing kit with them, help them use it to check their glucose level. Stay with them until they feel completely better.
If they do not improve quickly, look for any other causes and then call EMS for medical help.
While waiting, keep checking their responsiveness, breathing and pulse.

What you need to do ‒ if you’re unsure whether their blood sugar is high or low
If you’re not sure whether someone has high or low blood sugar, give them something sugary anyway, as this will quickly relieve low blood sugar and is unlikely to do harm in cases of high blood sugar
If they don’t improve quickly, call EMS for medical help.
If they lose responsiveness at any point, open their airway, check their breathing and prepare to treat someone who’s become unresponsive- administer CPR.

#TheFABSIdea-If you are diabetic or know someone who is, it is important that the blood-sugar level is properly monitored; there are test strips for that. Stick with a healthy recommended diet, as suggested by the dietician. Ensure your drugs are taken as prescribed by the doctor, go for scheduled check-ups. Do not ignore signs and symptoms that indicate a poor well being, especially as enumerated above.

#BeEmergencyReady
#BePreparedAlways
#BeFABulouS

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