Diabetic emergency first aid | British Red Cross (2024)

FAQs

What is the first aid response to a diabetic emergency? ›

1 Help the patient to sit or lie in a comfortable position. 2 Reassure the patient. 3 Loosen any tight clothing. 4 Give the patient sugar, such as fruit juice or a soft drink (NOT 'diet' eg co*ke Zero, Pepsi Max), sugar, jellybeans, glucose tablets.

Water is the best all-round drink. If your family likes flavoured waters, make your own by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or strawberries.

What you can do: Ask them to check their blood sugar if you think they're going "low." Help them get what they need to follow the 15/15 rule: Eat 15 grams of fast-acting carbs (3-4 glucose tablets or gels, 4 ounces of fruit juice or regular soda, or a tablespoon of honey or sugar) and wait 15 minutes.

If there are signs of an emergency, the person should go to the emergency room, or they or someone with them should call 911 immediately. Without rapid help, some diabetic emergencies can be life-threatening.

The rule of 15 is a method to help quickly raise blood sugar when experiencing a hypoglycemic episode. It involves consuming 15 grams of a fast acting carbohydrate, then waiting 15 minutes before rechecking blood sugar. A person can repeat these steps until their blood sugars are within a suitable range.

The 15-15 rule—have 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise your blood glucose and check it after 15 minutes. If it's still below 70 mg/dL, have another serving. Repeat these steps until your blood glucose is at least 70 mg/dL.

increased thirst and a dry mouth. needing to pee frequently. tiredness. blurred vision.

Drinking water is an excellent way to stay hydrated without consuming sugar. Green tea, cow's milk, and fermented milk (kefir) could also help you manage your blood sugar responses. Coffee also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar, but confirming this requires more research.

According to the American Diabetes Association, drinking red wine — or any alcoholic beverage — can lower blood sugar for up to 24 hours.

The fastest way to lower blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin medication. Exercise can also help to bring down blood sugar levels quickly. Diet and lifestyle changes can help manage overall blood sugar levels, but for immediate action, prescription medication or medical assistance may be necessary.

Does lemon water flush out sugar? ›

The bottom line: Lemon and cucumber water is better than certain drink options (e.g. sugary ones), and it can help you stay hydrated. However, don't reach for lemon and cucumber-infused water with the expectation that it will single-handedly reduce your blood sugars and diabetes symptoms.

How to Reduce Blood Sugar Immediately. The quickest way to lower your blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin. Exercising is another fast, effective way. However, in severe cases, you should go to the hospital.

First aid for diabetic coma

Turn them onto their side to prevent obstruction to breathing. Follow any instructions given to you by the operator until the ambulance officers arrive. Don't try to give them an insulin injection. If available, administer 1 mg of glucagon for rapid reversal of hypoglycaemia.

If you feel symptoms of extremely high or low blood sugar, call 911 or your local emergency number to make sure help is on the way before you pass out. If you're with someone with diabetes who has passed out or is acting strange, possibly as if they have had too much alcohol, call for immediate medical help.

The quickest way to lower your blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin. Exercising is another fast, effective way. However, in severe cases, you should go to the hospital.