Diabetes

Nature of Condition

Primary Management

Signs and Symptoms

Hypoglycaemia

Weakness, dizziness, light-headedness

Headache

Shaking

Sweating

Lack of concentration

Rapid pulse and racing heart beat

Hyperglycaemia

Excessive Thirst

Tingling or numbness around the lips and fingers

Hunger

Confusion or aggression

Unconsciousness

Frequent Urination

Tiredness

Blurred Vision

Hot, dry skin

Rapid Pulse

A smell of acetone on the breath

Unconsciousness

Diabetes is when an individual cannot produce or produce little amounts of insulin which is a hormone produced in the pancreas. This creates glucose not converting to energy resulting in sugar building up in the blood therefore the cells won’t receive the energy they need.

Three types of diabetes:
Type 1 – Not being able to produce insulin at all requiring regular insulin injections
Type 2 – The most common type of diabetes is where the pancreas does not make enough insulin or not doing its job properly
Gestational diabetes – Develops during pregnancy as pregnant woman require more insulin then normal (usually disappears after the baby is born)

Hypogylcaemia

If Conscious

Monitor the person and, if still unwell seek medical advice

Give a quick-acting/easily consumable carbohydrate e.g. sweet foods

Follow this with a more long-acting carbohydrate e.g. fruit

If Unconscious

DRSABCD

Call 000

Give nothing by mouth

Hyperglycaemia

If Conscious

Allow patient to self-administer their insulin or diabetic medication

Seek medical attention if required

Encourage patient to drink sugar-free drinks

If Unconscious

DRSABCD

Call 000

Give nothing by mouth