Page 92 - Participant Manual

If food intake, exercise and medication are not in balance, the person may experience a diabetic emergency.

■ Hypoglycemia (excessively low blood glucose ■ Hyperglycemia (excessively high blood glucose
levels) can result if a person misses a meal or levels) can result if a person eats too much food,
snack, eats too little food, exercises more than takes too little medication, exercises less than
usual, vomits or takes too much medication. usual or experiences physical or emotional stress.

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic

Emergencies
THE PROS KNOW.
A person who is having a diabetic emergency will seem generally ill. _______
He or she may feel dizzy or shaky, have a headache, or have cool,
clammy skin. The person’s behavior may change (for example, he A person who is experiencing a
or she may become irritable, aggressive or argumentative). If the diabetic emergency may appear
person is experiencing hyperglycemia, his or her breath may have to be under the influence of
a fruity or sweet odor. Severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia can alcohol. For example, the person
result in confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness and may be life may slur his or her words or have
threatening. difficulty walking. Interviewing
the person (or bystanders) using
SAMPLE and conducting a
First Aid Care for Diabetic head-to-toe check may help you

Emergencies identify the true cause of the
person’s signs and symptoms.
Call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number if the person
is unresponsive, not fully awake or having a seizure. While you
wait for help to arrive, provide appropriate care. For example, if
the person is not fully awake, interview bystanders and conduct a
head-to-toe check, then put the person in the recovery position.
Make sure the person’s airway is clear of vomit and monitor
the person’s breathing until help arrives. If the person is having
a seizure, take steps to keep the person safe while you let the
seizure run its course.

If the person is known to have diabetes and thinks he or she
is having a diabetic emergency, you may be able to help the
person by giving him or her some form of sugar. Only offer
the person sugar by mouth if the person is responsive, able to
answer your questions and able to swallow. Some people may
be responsive but not fully awake and therefore not able to safely
swallow; in this case, do not attempt to give the person sugar by
mouth. Instead, call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number.
You should also call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number
if you are not able to immediately obtain an acceptable form of
sugar. Acceptable forms of sugar include:

■ Glucose tablets.
■ Candies that can be chewed. © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.

■ Fruit juice.
■ Fruit strips.
■ Regular (non-diet) soda.

■ Milk.
■ A spoonful of sugar mixed into a glass of water.

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