If you are in the situation where you come across an individual on the street who appears confused, frustrated, or dazed, a person who is sweating or slurring their words, someone who has no awareness of who they are or where they are, or an individual who seems drunk, or disorderly, whose hands are shaking, or whose body seems unnaturally hot or cold according to the temperature outside, please take a minute to offer this person help as they could be diabetic. Obviously do not put yourself in a dangerous situation but, if they do appear inebriated but do not smell of alcohol, the chances are that this person could be suffering a hypoglycaemic attack.
The first thing to do is to check the individual for any proof of medical illness; look on their wrists, or round their neck, for a Meditag piece of jewellery (a person with diabetes generally wears one of these). They may also have a diabetic card stating their personal details on their person somewhere. If you cannot find a diabetic card or a Meditag, ask the individual outright 'Are you suffering a diabetic hypoglycaemic attack?' or 'Are your blood sugar levels low?' you will normally be able to tell by their response whether they are or not. Someone suffering a hypoglycaemic attack will usually be slurring their words.
If they confirm that their blood sugar levels are low, you must get a sugary substance into their blood stream instantly - something like dextrose tables, lucozade tablets, glucogel, or even skittles, full sugar coke, sprite or 7up (basically anything with a sugary content). A diabetic will usually be carrying dextrose tablets, lucozade tablets or glucogel on them but if they do not have any of these, any sugary sweet or drink will do. This will ensure that their blood sugar levels will go back to normal (i.e. will match the blood sugar levels of a non-diabetic). It is important to call an ambulance, even if you think their blood sugars are returning to normal; all cases of diabetic hypoglycaemia should be considered emergency situations.
If faced with this situation it is imperative that you act quickly. A diabetic can fall very quickly into a hypoglycaemic coma if not treated swiftly and effectively. Although not often, a hypoglycaemic attack can prove fatal for the type 1 diabetic, yet the irony is that the complication is not difficult to treat once you know how.
Copyright (c) 2010 Paul Evans
Diabetes can be better controlled if you follow a healthy diet plan. Visit http://get-diabetic-diet-plan.com to get healthy eating ideas for diabetes type 1.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_F_Evans
The first thing to do is to check the individual for any proof of medical illness; look on their wrists, or round their neck, for a Meditag piece of jewellery (a person with diabetes generally wears one of these). They may also have a diabetic card stating their personal details on their person somewhere. If you cannot find a diabetic card or a Meditag, ask the individual outright 'Are you suffering a diabetic hypoglycaemic attack?' or 'Are your blood sugar levels low?' you will normally be able to tell by their response whether they are or not. Someone suffering a hypoglycaemic attack will usually be slurring their words.
If they confirm that their blood sugar levels are low, you must get a sugary substance into their blood stream instantly - something like dextrose tables, lucozade tablets, glucogel, or even skittles, full sugar coke, sprite or 7up (basically anything with a sugary content). A diabetic will usually be carrying dextrose tablets, lucozade tablets or glucogel on them but if they do not have any of these, any sugary sweet or drink will do. This will ensure that their blood sugar levels will go back to normal (i.e. will match the blood sugar levels of a non-diabetic). It is important to call an ambulance, even if you think their blood sugars are returning to normal; all cases of diabetic hypoglycaemia should be considered emergency situations.
If faced with this situation it is imperative that you act quickly. A diabetic can fall very quickly into a hypoglycaemic coma if not treated swiftly and effectively. Although not often, a hypoglycaemic attack can prove fatal for the type 1 diabetic, yet the irony is that the complication is not difficult to treat once you know how.
Copyright (c) 2010 Paul Evans
Diabetes can be better controlled if you follow a healthy diet plan. Visit http://get-diabetic-diet-plan.com to get healthy eating ideas for diabetes type 1.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_F_Evans