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How to Treat Diabetic Reactions

Diabetes can result in many complications such as hypoglycemia (lowered blood sugar levels), diabetic ketoacidosis (too little insulin in your body), and diabetic coma. It's important to notice signs of an emergency, as many diabetic complications can result in death. It may help to know CPR to help your loved one if an emergency arises. If you're diabetic, it's important to take your medications as prescribed and to eat regular meals to avoid complications. Also check your blood sugar levels to monitor for signs of trouble.

Things You'll Need

  • Glucose meter
  • CPR classes
  • Medical attention
  • Glucagon kit
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Instructions

  1. Hypoglycemia

    • 1

      Recognize signs of distress, such as shakiness, sweating, weakness, disorientation, and irritability. Take a blood sugar test to determine if your blood sugar levels are dropping.

    • 2

      If your blood sugar levels are dropping rapidly, ingest a pure sugar source, such as fruit juice or hard candy.

    • 3

      Fifteen minutes after getting your first glucose reading and then ingesting a sugar source, retest your blood sugar levels. If they are still low, eat another sugar source.

    • 4

      Once you have managed to stabilize your blood sugar levels, eat a small meal. It's important to get food into your system once a normal blood sugar level has been established to keep your sugar levels normalized.

    • 5

      If your loved one loses consciousness, seek immediate medical attention. A person who develops hypoglycemia and loses consciousness will need an injection of glucagon (a hormone) to help release sugar into their blood. If you have an emergency glucagon kit, administer the injection to your loved one immediately and call for assistance.

    Diabetic Ketoacidosis

    • 6

      Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as excessive thirst, abdominal pain, severe fatigue, and nausea and vomiting. Since diabetic ketoacidosis can mimic the flu, if you're diabetic and begin to feel under the weather it's important to see your physician.

    • 7

      If your blood sugar levels go above 300 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter), seek immediate medical attention. You should also seek treatment if you're not able to stabilize your blood sugar levels.

    • 8

      Take a routine urine test to monitor for signs of ketones in your urine. Ketone urine tests can be bought at your local supermarket. If you detect ketones in your urine, seek immediate medical attention, as diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal.

    Diabetic Coma

    • 9

      Check for signs of irritability, sweating, fatigue, shakiness, confusion, and extreme hunger. If you experience these symptoms, check your blood sugar levels as you may be experiencing hypoglycemia, which, if unresolved, could lead to coma.

    • 10

      You can prevent diabetic coma by recognizing the signs. If you develop hypoglycemia, do the steps necessary to regulate your blood sugar levels.

    • 11

      If your loved one loses consciousness and can't be roused, get immediate medical attention. If necessary, do CPR if their heart stops beating and call for assistance.

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