What to do if a diabetic passes out?

A diabetic coma is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar and you think you might pass out, call 911 or your local emergency number. If you're with someone with diabetes who has passed out, call for emergency help. Tell the emergency personnel that the unconscious person has diabetes.

What do you give a diabetic when they pass out?

You can give them sugary drinks such as cola, lemonade, fruit juice and isotonic sports drinks, and sweet foods such as jelly beans, chocolate and sugar cubes. The person may also be carrying glucose gel or tablets. Avoid giving them a diet drink, as it won't have any sugar in it and will not help them.

What are 3 signs of a diabetic emergency?

rapid pulse and breathing. fruity, sweet breath. excessive thirst. drowsiness, leading them to become unresponsive if not treated (also known as a diabetic coma)

What to do if someone with low blood sugar passes out?

If someone has such severe hypoglycemia that they have lost consciousness or cannot eat or drink without assistance, do not try to force feed them. Call 9-1-1, and if you have been trained to do so, administer glucagon.

Why do diabetics feel faint?

High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) can cause polyuria, which in turn can lead to dehydration by passing too much fluid out of the body in an attempt to remove excess glucose. With low levels of water in the body, the brain may struggle to function correctly and cause light headedness.

What To Do If Someone Is Having A Diabetic Emergency - First Aid Training - St John Ambulance

Can too much sugar make you faint?

These changes make it harder for blood to flow to the brain as blood also flows to the digestive system. Reduced blood flow to the brain can lead to dizziness.

How do you feel when your sugar is low?

Moderate hypoglycemia often makes people feel short-tempered, nervous, afraid, or confused. Your vision may blur. You could also feel unsteady or have trouble walking. Severe hypoglycemia can cause you to pass out.

When should I call 911 for low blood sugar?

If any of the following happens, your friend, relative, or helper should call 911: You pass out and no glucagon is available. You need a second dose of glucagon. You had glucagon but are still confused.

What is a diabetic shock?

Diabetic shock – a state of severe hypoglycemia, or extremely low blood sugar – can be extremely serious among people suffering from diabetes, even those who are closely managing their blood sugar levels. Shock usually happens in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

At what number should a diabetic go to the hospital?

Recurring fasting hyperglycemia >300 mg/dl (>16.7 mmol/l) that is refractory to outpatient therapy or an A1C level ≥100% above the upper limit of normal.

What is greatest immediate danger for a person with diabetes?

Hypoglycemia, also called “low blood glucose” or “low blood sugar,” is one of the most frequent complications of diabetes and can happen very suddenly. Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level less than 70 mg/dl. This is the greatest immediate danger to students with diabetes; sometimes it cannot be prevented.

What does a diabetic emergency look like?

People often experience headaches, dizziness, sweating, shaking, and a feeling of anxiety. However, when a person experiences diabetic shock or severe hypoglycemia, they may lose consciousness, have trouble speaking, and experience double vision.

What is the most common diabetic emergency?

How can you tell if someone is in diabetic shock?

What is a diabetic seizure?

Diabetic seizure is a term used for seizures related to blood sugar levels. When you have extremely low or high blood sugar levels, you may experience severe symptoms, such as confusion, shock, loss of consciousness, and seizure. Diabetic seizures can be fatal. However, emergency medical care can offer relief.

In what position would you manage an unconscious diabetic who is breathing?

Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately. Don't try to give them anything to eat or drink, as they may choke. Turn them onto their side to prevent obstruction to breathing.

What do paramedics do for low blood sugar?

For a patient confirmed to be hypoglycemic, several options for prehospital treatment exist: oral glucose, intravenous (IV) or intraosseous (IO) dextrose, and intramuscular (IM) or intranasal (IN) glucagon.

What do hospitals do for low blood sugar?

If your blood sugar drops low enough for you to become unconscious, you must be taken to the hospital and/or treated with glucagon. Glucagon is a hormone that causes the blood sugar to rise. It can only be given by injection.

What happens if blood sugar gets too low while sleeping?

Know the Signs of Low Overnight Blood Sugar

They include shakiness, sweating, confusion, erratic behavior, headache, and lightheadedness. With nighttime hypoglycemia, you may wake up with these symptoms or with a higher blood sugar reading that results from the body's response to an overnight low.

What happens when blood sugar drops below 50?

If hypoglycemia becomes severe, you may not be able to safely swallow food or drink. By this point, your blood glucose level is less than 54 mg/dL—often below 40 mg/dL. You may feel very confused, pass out, or have a seizure. Without prompt treatment, severe hypoglycemia may lead to a coma or even death.

Can low blood sugar cause stroke like symptoms?

Hypoglycemia is defined as blood glucose level less than 70 mg/dl. [1] Its a common occurrence in diabetic patients receiving pharmacologic treatment. Transient hypoglycemia is well known to produce a stroke-like picture with hemiplegia and aphasia.

Are bananas good for dizziness?

Pick up a banana

Why bananas? To replenish blood glucose, low levels of which can cause dizziness.

What is the danger zone for diabetes?

In general, a blood sugar reading of more than 180 mg/dL or any reading above your target range is too high. A blood sugar reading of 300 mg/dL or more can be dangerous. If you have 2 readings in a row of 300 or more, call your doctor.

How long can a diabetic be in a coma before dying?

Because only a medical professional can safely treat a diabetic coma, there is no concrete answer for how long a diabetic coma can last. A diabetic coma will ultimately last until the individual in the coma receives proper treatment.

What are the two major 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.