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THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE AS OFFICIAL MEDICAL ADVICE!
This is not official medical advice. Please consult with a doctor when making medical decisions. If there is a medical emergency, please call emergency services (911).
Quick Links
The diabetic is unconscious
Unconscious
Low (Unconscious)
If their blood sugar is LOW and they are UNCONSCIOUS:
Call Emergency Services.
Specify it is a diabetic emergency.
If the diabetic has an emergency glucagon and you feel comfortable, administer it.
How to use glucagon:
Glucagons
Stay with the diabetic until EMS arrive.
High (Unconscious)
If their blood sugar is HIGH and they are UNCONSCIOUS:
Call Emergency Services.
Specify it is a diabetic emergency.
If you know their blood sugar level, inform EMS.
High blood sugars are often less urgent than low blood sugar, but it is important to stay with the diabetic until EMS arrive.
Unsure (Unconscious)
If the diabetic is UNCONSCIOUS and you do not know their blood sugar:
Call Emergency Services.
Specify it is a diabetic emergency.
Stay with the diabetic until EMS arrive.
Since low blood sugars are more urgent than high blood sugars, you can treat this as a low blood sugar if you are comfortable doing so.
Low Blood Sugar
The CDC defines a low blood sugar as 55-69 mg/dL and a severe low blood as anything below 55 mg/dL
If the diabetic can swallow, have them drink something high in sugar, such as fruit juice or soda.
Encourage them to eat a snack that has around 15 carbohydrates.
Stay with them until their blood sugar is back in range.
If symptoms worsen, their blood sugar won't come up, or they become unconscious, CALL EMS and state it is a diabetic emergency.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
Shakiness
Slurred Speech
Confusion
Feeling Weak/Low Energy
Hunger
Irritability
Fast Heart Rate
Pale Skin
Sweating/Chills
Blurred Vision
Problems with Coordination
Tingling/Numbness in the Lips, Tongue, or Cheeks
Crying Out During Sleep
Seizures
Additional Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Diabetes Association
High Blood Sugar
High blood sugars are less urgent than low blood sugar.
The diabetic should administer their insulin.
If you are very concerned about a diabetic, you can contact emergency services.
Additional Resources:
Mayo Clinic
Alcohol & Diabetes
GLUCAGON MAY NOT WORK
when the diabetic is drunk. If the diabetic is too drunk to manage their blood sugar and you are concerned, call emergency services.
If the diabetic is unconscious:
Call emergency services and specify it is a diabetic emergency.
Try to see the diabetic's blood sugar. If their blood sugar is low, you can administer their
emergency glucagon
if you are comfortable doing so.
If the diabetic is conscious:
Stay with the diabetic
Have the diabetic check their blood sugar and make sure they do not show signs of a low blood sugar
Try to sober them up with food and water
Following Up:
Alcohol can cause low blood sugars the DAY AFTER DRINKING. For 24 hours after drinking, check in on the diabetic to make sure their blood sugar has not dropped dangerously low.
Additional Resources:
American Diabetes Association
Diabetes.org
About Medical Devices
Coming soon!
Additional Resources
Coming soon!
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