About Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

In diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin, can’t use insulin well, or both. This causes blood glucose (sugar) to rise. If diabetes isn’t treated, blood glucose can rise to dangerous levels (hyperglycaemia). Delaying treatment can lead to coma and death within hours or days. Medications used to treat diabetes can also cause blood glucose to drop too low (hypoglycaemia) This is very dangerous and must be treated immediately.

I HAVE DIABETES. I may be having a very high or low blood glucose reaction. These can lead to coma or death if they are untreated. If I am not alert or I cannot swallow, do not try to give me anything to eat or drink. Call 811.

Very Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycaemia)

Signs (may look like drug or alcohol intoxication): I may be shaky, sweaty, staggering, combative, confused or acting strangely. I may also slur speech, have a seizure, or become unconscious.

Treatment for Very Low Blood Glucose:

• If I’m awake and can swallow, give me a source of sugar, such as 4 glucose tablets, ½ cup of regular juice or sugary soda, 1 cup of non-fat or 1% milk, 1 tbsp. sugar or hone or hard candy or jelly beans.
• Stay with me as I rest and check my blood glucose every 15minutes. I may need more sources of sugar to eat or drink.
• If I do not get better or my blood glucose does not rise above 70 mg/dl, call 811 or get me to a hospital.

Very High Blood Glucose (Hyperglycaemia)

Signs (may look like drug or alcohol intoxication): I may be drowsy, confused, urinating often, vomiting, and/or have blurry vision. My skin may be flushed and my breath may have a fruity odor.

Treatment: – Severe hyperglycaemia can lead to coma or death if untreated. I have a medical need to test my blood glucose, take my insulin (if used), drink water and have access to a bathroom.

N.B. Talk to a co-worker, friend or a loved one about hypoglycaemia symptoms. Make sure someone close to you knows what to do in case of low blood glucose.

Source: American Diabetes Association