First Aid - Diabetes

Hayley Doldissen

What is diabetes?Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or when the

insulin the body makes does not work properly.

There are two different types of diabetes, type one and type two. Type one diabetes usually occurs in children and adolescents and happens when the pancreas loses the ability to secrete insulin. Insulin treatment is critical for the persons life. Type two diabetes is a lifestyle disease and usually occurs in adults. While their bodies secrete insulin, it does not have the same affect as a non-diabetic and can usually be controlled by diet and a lifestyle change including exercise. Sometimes, tablets or injections are necessary for treatment.

What causesdiabetes?

The cause of type one diabetes is not completely understood. It canbe said that diabetes is causedby a range of factors such as genetics and environmental factors like viruses. A person becomes diabetic when they either inherit a gene or theenvironment triggers something inthat persons body that causes the immune system to become confused and fight the cells of the pancreas (these insulin producing cells arecalled the islets of langerhans), killing themand disabling the person from ever secreting insulin from their pancreas again.

What are thesigns and symptoms?Before a person has been diagnosed with diabetes and has just developedthe disease, the signs and symptomswill be as follows:- Excessive passing of urine - Dehydration- Weight loss- Excessive tiredness- Mood changes- Increased thirst and drinking- Development of ketones in blood

which can cause abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting.

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia:Hyperglycemia is when there is too much sugar in the blood and a blood sugar level of >15 would indicate a dangerous level. Hypoglycemia is when there is

too little sugar in the blood and a blood sugar level of <4 is considered dangerous. The target range is 4-8.The above reading of 2.7 is an example of hypoglycemia, it is a dangerous level and first aid would need to be carried out

in a situation like this.

Signs and symptoms of Hypoglycemia

- Weak, dizzy, feeling light headed

- Confused, disoriented

- Cold, pale, moist skin

- Sweating

- Rapid pulse

- Hunger

- Shallow breathing

- Reduced level of consciousness

- Aggressiveness

- May appear to others as drunk

Signs and symptoms of Hyperglycemia

- Drowsiness

- Thirst

- Breath smells like nail polish remover

- Increased urination

- Reduced level of consciousness

Management of diabetes:

When a person is diagnosed with

diabetes, they are taught lifelong

management of the disease. This

involves testing the blood sugar level

multiple times daily, insulin therapy

(via injection or an insulin pump), a

healthy food plan, exercise and they are

educated on the disease so they are able

to make good decisions in the future

regarding their diabetes.

Management of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia

Both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can cause a casualty to require first

aid. They can both lead to unconsciousness and if not treated and managed

properly, their condition can worsen. Hypoglycemia is the more common of

the two. Each condition is different with different signs and symptoms and

each have different first aid management.

Hypoglycemia:If the person is responsive, cooperative

and able to swallow:

- Give a sweet, sugary drink or food

- Never give diabetic drinks

- Seek medical assistance

If the person is unresponsive:

- Conduct a primary survey

- Call an ambulance immediately

- Provide supplemental oxygen if able

When medical assistance reaches a

person suffering hypoglycemia, they

will usually inject them with glucagon

(a hormone that raises blood sugar

levels).

Hyperglycemia:If responsive:

- Seek medical advice

If unresponsive:

- Conduct a primary survey

- Call an ambulance urgently

- Provide supplemental oxygen if able

When medical assistance reaches a person

suffering hyperglycemia, they will

usually test the person’s blood sugar level

and give an insulin injection in order to

lower the blood sugar levels.

The End!

BibliographySource One:Type: BookName: Caring for diabetes in children and adolescents, A

parent’s manual, Second edition. Author: G Amber, V Barron, C May, E Ambler, F Cameron Publication date: 2001Organisation :Combined Children’s Diabetes Services of

NSWDate retrieved: Friday August 22nd 2008

Source Two:Type: BookName: Royal Life Saving – First AidAuthor: John Lippman & David Natoli Publication date: April 2008Organisation :The Royal Life Saving Society AustraliaDate retrieved: Friday August 22nd 2008

Source Three:Type: WebsiteWeb Address: http://www.diabetescaregroup.info/ Author/organisation: Diabetes Care GroupDate last updated: 2008 Page title: Diabetes Care Group Information Date retrieved: Friday August 22nd 2008

Source Four:Type: PersonName: Michele SkippenTitle: Registered Nurse and Diabetes EducatorDate information retrieved: Friday August 22nd 2008