First Aid - Diabetes

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 causes
diabetes?

The cause of type one diabetes is

not completely understood. It can
be said that diabetes is caused
by a range of factors such as
genetics and environmental
factors like viruses. A person
becomes diabetic when they
either inherit a gene or the
environment triggers something in
that persons body that causes
the immune system to become
confused and fight the cells of the
pancreas (these insulin producing cells are
called the islets of langerhans), killing them
and disabling the person from ever
secreting insulin from their pancreas
again.
What are the
signs and
symptoms?
Before a person has been diagnosed
with diabetes and has just developed
the disease, the signs and
symptoms will 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!
 Bibliography
Source One: Source Four:
Type: Book Type: Person
Name: Caring for diabetes in children and adolescents, A Name: Michele Skippen
parent’s manual, Second edition. Title: Registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator
Author: G Amber, V Barron, C May, E Ambler, F Cameron Date information retrieved: Friday August
Publication date: 2001 22nd 2008
Organisation :Combined Children’s Diabetes Services of
NSW
Date retrieved: Friday August 22nd 2008

Source Two:
Type: Book
Name: Royal Life Saving – First Aid
Author: John Lippman & David Natoli
Publication date: April 2008
Organisation :The Royal Life Saving Society Australia
Date retrieved: Friday August 22nd 2008

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