home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Night Owl 6
/
Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006 - Night Owl Corp (1990).iso
/
047a
/
1staid33.zip
/
DIABETIC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1980-01-01
|
4KB
|
111 lines
XIII
DIABETIC EMERGENCIES
Sugar is required in the body for
nourishment. Insulin is a hormone
that helps the body use the sugar.
When the body does not produce enough
Insulin, body cells do not get the needed
nourishment and diabetes results.
People with this condition take Insulin
to keep their diabetes under control.
Diabetics are subject to two very
different types of emergencies:
1. INSULIN REACTION (OR INSULIN SHOCK)
This condition occurs when there is TOO
MUCH INSULIN in the body. This condition
rapidly reduces the level of sugar in the
blood and brain cells suffer.
Insulin reaction can be caused by taking
too much medication, by failing to eat, by
heavy exercise and by emotional factors.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Fast breathing, fast pulse, dizziness,
weakness, change in the level of
consciousness, vision difficulties,
sweating, headache, numb hands or feet,
and hunger.
2. DIABETIC COMA
This condition occurs when there is TOO
MUCH SUGAR and too little INSULIN in the
blood and body cells do not get enough
nourishment.
Diabetic coma can be caused by eating too
much sugar, by not taking prescribed
medications, by stress and by infection.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Diabetic coma develops more slowly than
Insulin shock, sometimes over a period of
days. Signs and symptoms include
drowsiness, confusion,deep and fast
breathing, thirst, dehydration, fever, a
change in the level of consciousness and
a peculiar sweet or fruity-smelling
breath.
FIRST AID FOR INSULIN REACTION AND
DIABETIC COMA
Looking for the signs and symptoms listed
above will help to distinguish the two
diabetic emergencies. In addition, if the
patient is conscious, you can ask two very
important questions which will help
determine the nature of the problem:
1. ASK "HAVE YOU EATEN TODAY?"
Someone who has eaten, but has
not taken prescribed medication may
be in a diabetic coma.
2. ASK "HAVE YOU TAKEN YOUR MEDICATION
TODAY?"
Someone who has not eaten, but did
take their medication, may be having
an Insulin reaction.
DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN THE TWO TYPES OF
DIABETIC EMERGENCIES CAN BE DIFFICULT.
(Always look for an identifying bracelet
which may reveal a person's condition)
OF THE TWO CONDITIONS, INSULIN SHOCK IS A
TRUE EMERGENCY WHICH REQUIRES PROMPT
ACTION!
A PERSON IN INSULIN SHOCK NEEDS SUGAR,
QUICKLY! IF THE PERSON IS CONSCIOUS, GIVE
SUGAR IN ANY FORM: CANDY, FRUIT JUICE OR
A SOFT DRINK!
SUGAR GIVEN TO A PERSON IN INSULIN SHOCK
CAN BE LIFE-SAVING! IF THE PERSON IS
SUFFERING FROM DIABETIC COMA, THE SUGAR
WILL NOT CAUSE THEM FURTHER HARM.
Monitor victims carefully. Seek
professional help.
***