Low Blood Sugar & Diabetes
What you student's should be able to do / understand after the session:
- Knowledge that diabetes is a very common condition
- Knowledge that diabetes is managed in several different ways
- Can identify symptoms of hypoglycaemia
- Can treat a hypoglycaemic casualty appropriately
- Understands that an unconscious diabetic patient is an emergency
- Knowledge that hyperglycaemia develops slowly and required medical attention
Types of diabetes:
Type 1:
Person's immune system attacks & destroys cells that product insulin
Type 2:
Person doesn't produce enough insulin or body's cells don't react to insulin in right way (in UK 90% of adults with diabetes have type 2)
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
Symptoms:
- Dry, warm skin
- Rapid pulse, fast breathing
- Increased thirst & dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Feeling or being sick
- Fruity smelling breath
First Aid:
- Call for emergency help
- Monitor breathing, pulse & responsiveness. If lose consciousness (normal breathing), put into recovery position. If lose consciousness (abnormal breathing) contact emergency services, start CPR
Hypoglycaemia:
What is it? Where the blood sugar levels drop due to an imbalance of glucose in the blood and levels of insulin. i.e. low blood sugar
Symptoms:
- Weakness, faintness and hungar
- Confusion
- Pale, cold & sweaty skin
- Rapid pulse & palpitations
- Trembling
- Deteriorating levels of response
First aid:
- Assist casualty to sit down
- Small glass of sugary drink or a few (i.e. 3) sweets
- After 10-15 mins if no improvement more sugar, if DO improve slow release carbohydrate snack
- If still no improvement - contact emergencu services
- Monitor breathing, pulse & responsiveness. If lose consciousness (normal breathing), put into recovery position. If lose consciousness (abnormal breathing) contact emergency services, start CPR
