{"id":53901,"date":"2023-11-10T12:29:12","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T01:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstaidpro.com.au\/?p=53901"},"modified":"2023-11-10T12:29:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T01:59:14","slug":"diabetes-first-aid-from-low-blood-sugar-symptoms-to-coma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstaidpro.com.au\/blog\/diabetes-first-aid-from-low-blood-sugar-symptoms-to-coma\/","title":{"rendered":"Diabetes First Aid – From Low Blood Sugar Symptoms to Coma"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Diabetes affects how your body processes sugar, leading to high blood glucose (sugar) levels. It isn’t just a single condition but 3 distinct varieties that are complex and require round-the-clock monitoring and care.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s important to manage diabetic levels as short-term effects can force the kidneys to overwork while long-term heightened levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, with compounding effects on the kidneys along with bonus consequences for the heart, brain, feet and eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n By managing sugar levels, you reduce your risk of developing life-threatening complications and improve your overall health, which is usually accomplished through a doctor-directed combination of medication, diet and exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes referred to as dextrose, blood sugar or corn syrup, glucose is a form of simple sugar (also called a monosaccharide), a subcategory of carbohydrates – think cereals like rice, wheat, potatoes and many processed foods.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients that are required to sustain life, the other 3 being fats like milk, butter or cooking oils, and proteins like meat or eggs. The body makes the glucose in these macronutrients available through the catabolic (breaking down) function of metabolism.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the human body and biology in general, glucose is the number 1 fuel source, and its concentration in blood is primarily regulated by the insulin interaction.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Insulin is an anabolic (building up) hormone, secreted by beta cells in the pancreas in response to sensing high levels of blood sugar, speeding the uptake of glucose in the body’s cells and bringing levels back down to normal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Diabetes is when this insulin interaction malfunctions and glucose isn’t absorbed by the body’s cells, resulting in abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The human body is incredible and can do amazing things, however, it can also commit baffling acts of self-sabotage as in the case of autoimmune diseases, wherein the immune system inexplicably attacks an otherwise perfectly healthy part of the body. Nearly any part of the body can be infected from the thyroid (Graves’ Disease) to the intestinal tract (Crohn’s Disease) to the beta cells in the pancreas – enter Type 1 Diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Type 1 diabetes usually starts suddenly in childhood or adolescence. The main sign is, naturally, very high blood sugar from a partial or total reduction in insulin production, which can manifest<\/span> early symptoms such as:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Increased urination<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Increased thirst<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Weight loss which can occur over days or weeks.<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n Children may also have:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Increased appetite<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Blurred vision<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Bedwetting<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Skin infections<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Irritability and consequently problems at school.<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n Symptoms, if left untreated, can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) which causes:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dehydration<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Nausea and vomiting<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Rapid heartbeat<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Confusion<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Trouble breathing or hyperventilation<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n This can progress quickly to a diabetic coma and even death.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n While there are risks such as genetics, certain chemicals or drugs and environmental factors, the exact cause is unknown, there is no known method of prevention and there is no cure. The good news is, like many autoimmune diseases, there is treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin regularly to control high blood sugar levels by injecting insulin under their skin several times a day. They need to adjust the amount of insulin they take based on what they eat, their blood sugar levels and how active they are.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal is to keep blood glucose levels within a normal<\/span> and healthy range throughout, which is usually between 80-130 mg\/dL before meals and less than 180 mg\/dL after meals, which can be checked at home by pricking a finger and using a glucose meter or a continuous glucose monitor.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and is, fortunately, preventable. Where Type 1 is a malfunction of the immune system, Type 2 is a result of diet and lifestyle factors which lead to too much sugar and an over-stimulation of the beta cells in the pancreas. Consequently, over time major organs begin to build up a resistance to insulin in a vicious cycle where the beta cells begin to overcompensate and overwork themselves to the point of hyperinsulinemia. Meanwhile, the blood glucose level remains unimpacted.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Exhausted from overstimulation, beta cell function and volume will begin to collapse like a star that burns twice as bright and now, while insulin may still be produced, its effectiveness is significantly hobbled. The liver and both adipose and muscle cells have lost their ability to respond to insulin, and glucose-lowering medications and insulin injections may be required.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms can include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Headaches<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Feeling dizzy<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Leg cramps<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Volatile swings in moods<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Being very thirsty and hungry constantly<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Going to the bathroom constantly<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Feeling tired and lazy constantly<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Cuts and other injuries may take a long time to heal<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Itchy skin and infections<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Blurry eyesight<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Either gaining or losing weight slowly<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n Generally, Type 2 diabetes is managed with dietary and lifestyle modifications paired with medication and insulin injections.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n While not possible for 100% of cases, remission may be possible for some<\/span> people with diabetes, and though it isn’t a cure or a reversal it does mean that a glucose level below Type 2 diabetes levels has been achieved and eventually a reduction or even cessation of some medications is possible.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall the goal of treatment is avoidance of the most grave complications and the promotion of better health. A long and fulfilling life is entirely possible for all who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n This specific type of diabetes (also called GDM) occurs only during pregnancy and can affect the health of both the parent carrying the baby and the baby itself. In Australia, it’s the fastest-growing type of diabetes, impacting between 5 and 10 per cent of people embarking upon pregnancy, sharing many overlapping risk factors with Type 2.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Risk factors unique to GDM include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Having previously had GDM during a prior pregnancy<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Having one or both of the parents being over the age of 35-55<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Having previously had a Very Big Baby (weighing more than 4.5kg)<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Having previously returned results indicating elevated blood glucose levels<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n Having parentage of certain ethnic groups like First Australians, Pacific Islanders and South Asians<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n Noteworthy is the reality that despite these defined risk factors 40-60% of women with GDM lack verifiable risk factors and the vast majority who develop it exhibit no obvious symptoms, either. Pregnant people need to receive regular prenatal care in general, as many will be familiar with being told, but specifically to monitor for gestational diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Untreated GDM directly impacts birth, increasing the risk of pre-eclampsia and needing a Caesarian Section, with the greatest risk being to the child, potentially resulting in stillbirth. Long-term, the baby that survives poorly treated GDM can be at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes or obesity later in life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Treatment is usually straightforward and usually comprises a change in diet and lifestyle, occasionally the adoption of some medications and, even less commonly, insulin injections.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, GDM resolves itself after the baby’s birth 9 times out of 10 and, when adequately treated, a majority of incidences result in minimal impact on the pregnancy, birth or the health of the child.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is Diabetes<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Type 1 Diabetes<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Type 2 Diabetes<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Gestational diabetes<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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