Diabetes
A person with diabetes may require first aid when their blood sugar levels drop and the person goes into a condition called hypoglycaemia.
Signs and Symptoms
What to do
1. If the patient is unconscious:
2. If conscious, give the patient some sugar.
3. If unconscious:
It is common for these patients to be unconscious. If so, support the patient on their side (recovery position) and call 000 for an ambulance. In this situation, DO NOT give the patient anything to eat or drink.
4. Obtain medical advice
If the patient does not improve after swallowing the sweet food or drink, or if further deterioration occurs and swallowing becomes difficult – call 000 for an ambulance.
Signs and Symptoms
- extreme tiredness and loss of concentration
- severe thirst
- abdominal pain nausea or vomiting
- dizziness and loss of coordination
- erratic or argumentative behaviour
- rapid loss of consciousness if not treated promptly
- persistent headache
- pale or sweaty skin
- can seem drunk
What to do
1. If the patient is unconscious:
- Support the patient on their side and call 000 for an ambulance.
2. If conscious, give the patient some sugar.
- If the patient is still fully conscious and able to swallow, give a sweetened drink, chocolate or glucose sweets to suck – an improvement usually occurs within minutes.
- When the patient is more alert, offer a more substantial carbohydrate meal of a sandwich or several sweet biscuits.
3. If unconscious:
It is common for these patients to be unconscious. If so, support the patient on their side (recovery position) and call 000 for an ambulance. In this situation, DO NOT give the patient anything to eat or drink.
- Give frequent reassurance during recovery because the patient may be confused until fully recovered.
4. Obtain medical advice
- If the patient has improved with the intake of carbohydrate, medical advice is still necessary because a further deterioration may occur at any time. The patient should see a doctor.
If the patient does not improve after swallowing the sweet food or drink, or if further deterioration occurs and swallowing becomes difficult – call 000 for an ambulance.