How to Diagnose a Diabetic Emergency

When the pancreas cannot process blood sugar adequately, diabetes develops. There are two main types of diabetes and once diagnosed, a patient will control his condition with injections or diet and exercise. However, if the patient's insulin level or blood sugar level spikes, prompt treatment is necessary.

Instructions

• 1

  Take the person's pulse and notice how quickly they are breathing. A diabetic suffering from an insulin spike may exhibit these symptoms as well as complaining of a headache, vision disturbances and muscle weakness.

• 2

  Notice if the person is sweating excessively or shows signs of dizziness. As insulin levels rise, hunger may also be present. If left untreated, high insulin levels can lead to insulin shock, which is an emergency.

• 3

  Watch a diabetic if he becomes drowsy, confused and very thirsty. Just as the opposite of insulin shock is the onset of a diabetic coma, the result of elevated sugar levels in the blood and too little insulin. Additional symptoms include a fever, sweet-smelling breath and panting.

• 4

  Ask what the person ate recently. Diabetics must monitor their food intake carefully. If they have not eaten but they took their insulin, they may be suffering from an insulin reaction. Alternately, diabetic coma may be approaching if they ate but forgot to take their medication.

• 5

  Give sugar to a diabetic who shows signs of insulin shock. This condition is the more dangerous of the two and the person needs sugar immediately. Juice, candy or anything sweet may save his life.

• 6

  Call for emergency medical help if you suspect a diabetic is suffering from insulin shock or if he shows symptoms of slipping into a diabetic coma. Tell the dispatcher that you think the emergency might be a diabetic reaction so emergency personnel are ready to treat the person as soon as they arrive.