First Aid for Diabetes 13 06 11

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It’s national diabetes week starting this Sunday. Diabetes UK, the charity providing support to those with diabetes, they are keen to get people talking about the condition. With this in mind, we have included a short guide to the recognition and first aid treatment of diabetes below.

Please feel free to distribute this information to family, friends and colleagues, or anyone who you think might find this information useful.

Diabetes is a medical condition, where someone is unable to control the blood sugar (glucose) levels in their body. This is caused by the pancreas not producing enough insulin, which is the hormone that controls blood sugar.

Often people do not realise that they have diabetes, and because of this their blood sugar can reach dangerously high levels. We call this hyperglycaemia. As first aider’s are less likely to recognise undiagnosed diabetes due to the nature of the signs and symptoms, however if you recognise the symptoms in yourself, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Diabetes is split into two categories:

Type 1 diabetes is where the body does not produce any insulin. This is most common in people under 40. This type of diabetes is usually treated with insulin medication, a good diet and regular exercise.

Type 2 diabetes is where the body does not produce enough insulin. This is most common in people over 40. This type of is usually treated with a good diet and exercise, and sometimes medication.

There are over 2.6 million people with diabetes in the UK and it is estimated that there a half a million people who do not know they have the condition.

Possible Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycaemia)

Sweet smelling breath (sometime described as being similar to nail varnish remover or pear drop sweets).
Increased thirst & hunger.
Excess urination (especially at night).
‘Sweet smelling’ urine.
Tired and lethargic.
Weight loss.
Blurred vision.
Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush.

When someone has been diagnosed as a diabetic, their blood sugar levels can be controlled with medication, diet and exercise. The difficulty is that if someone is taking a set amount of insulin, their blood sugar level may actually drop too low for example if they have skipped a meal, or have been physically active. As a first aider, this is the more likely situation that you would recognise.

Possible Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycaemia)

Irritable, sometime aggressive behaviour.
Drunken like behaviour, slurred speech, uncooperative.
Shaking.
Fast Pulse.
Sweating.
Anxiety.
Extreme hunger.
Irritability.
Dizzy, weak, tired, confused.
Lowered levels of response, or unconsciousness.

Treatment of Low Blood Sugar

Sit the casualty down in a quiet place.
Offer a sweet drink or food, such as a glucose drink, cola (not diet), chocolate or sugar.
If improvement seen, give more to eat and drink.
If there is little or no improvement, call an ambulance.
If the casualty becomes unconscious, use your emergency plan, checking the airway and breathing and following as appropriate.

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