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How to differentiate between hypoglycemia & hyperglycemia
- Thread starter HICHAM_T2
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If I find a person unconscious, I call an ambulance and leave them to work out what is the cause.
If they are awake, have diabetes but unsure whether they are hypo or hyper, I ask their permission to take a BG reading.
If there is a chance they will have a hypo, they should have their own meter to test.
If they are awake, have diabetes but unsure whether they are hypo or hyper, I ask their permission to take a BG reading.
If there is a chance they will have a hypo, they should have their own meter to test.
HICHAM_T2
Well-Known Member
I agree with you completely but sometimes in some countries there is no ambulance at the right moment if you leave the patient to die in peace
There is a big difference in service
I do not mean to do the work of specialists only for relief
HICHAM_T2
Well-Known Member
Thank you but unfortunately even this is sometimes unavailable
HICHAM_T2
Well-Known Member
In hyperglycemia Smells the smell of acetone in the mouth (smell of apple damaged)
Type: fainting hypoglycemia
Symptoms: The first person feels weak with a sense of hunger, sweat and rapid heartbeat
Dizziness and confusion in thinking and then trembling and fainting with convulsions
Type: fainting hypoglycemia
Symptoms: The first person feels weak with a sense of hunger, sweat and rapid heartbeat
Dizziness and confusion in thinking and then trembling and fainting with convulsions
Boo1979
Well-Known Member
Boo1979
Well-Known Member
Yes dka is more often seen in people with Type 1 but is also possible for people with T2 - not everyone with a diagnosis of T2 produces large amounts of endogenous insulin as a) T2 is often used as a lazy 'not type 1' diagnosis and therefore misdiagnosis is possible and b) over time endogenous insulin production often decreases as beta cells become more compromised
There is alao this
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000304.htm
There is alao this
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000304.htm
As I understand it the default is to give glucose, because hyperglycemia is unlikely to be fatal in the very short term but severe hypoglycemia can be quickly fatal. The patient will either regain consciousness or not.
However if you are not a trained first aider with an epipen of glucose (glucagon) AND of insulin (in which case you would also have a BG meter) then how are you going to treat them?
For an unconscious and unresponsive casualty you don't even know if they are diabetic. You also don't know if their coma is due to diabetes, even if you suspect that they are diabetic. They could have fainted from low blood pressure and hit their head.
So the base line is that if you can't reliably diagnose, then do nothing.
If the casualty is a T1 diabetic with epipens for both hypo and hyper events, plus a testing kit, then you might consider testing to see if BG is very low or very high. Even then unless you have been trained to inject both insulin and glucagon any messing around is likely to cause more harm than good.
Some information here. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/emergencies.html.
If someone who is insulin dependent either T1 or T2 is concerned that they might become severely hyper or hypo then it seems logical to carry a tester, emergency insulin and emergency glucagon kits along with very clear instructions on how to use them. This seems to match your "no ambulance available" scenario.
The very last thing you want is to be unconscious with a hypo and have someone who has watched a TV drama a couple of years ago confidently give you a couple of shots of insulin because "that is what you do with diabetics". Not responding, must need another shot. Perhaps another, just for luck..............
I understand that some emergency glucagon kits also require pre-mixing. Not the best situation for someone who is not familiar with the kit. Already mixed and ready to go seems sensible.
If you find someone unconscious and wearing a pump, then I pass the question over to insulin pump users!!
However if you are not a trained first aider with an epipen of glucose (glucagon) AND of insulin (in which case you would also have a BG meter) then how are you going to treat them?
For an unconscious and unresponsive casualty you don't even know if they are diabetic. You also don't know if their coma is due to diabetes, even if you suspect that they are diabetic. They could have fainted from low blood pressure and hit their head.
So the base line is that if you can't reliably diagnose, then do nothing.
If the casualty is a T1 diabetic with epipens for both hypo and hyper events, plus a testing kit, then you might consider testing to see if BG is very low or very high. Even then unless you have been trained to inject both insulin and glucagon any messing around is likely to cause more harm than good.
Some information here. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/emergencies.html.
If someone who is insulin dependent either T1 or T2 is concerned that they might become severely hyper or hypo then it seems logical to carry a tester, emergency insulin and emergency glucagon kits along with very clear instructions on how to use them. This seems to match your "no ambulance available" scenario.
The very last thing you want is to be unconscious with a hypo and have someone who has watched a TV drama a couple of years ago confidently give you a couple of shots of insulin because "that is what you do with diabetics". Not responding, must need another shot. Perhaps another, just for luck..............
I understand that some emergency glucagon kits also require pre-mixing. Not the best situation for someone who is not familiar with the kit. Already mixed and ready to go seems sensible.
If you find someone unconscious and wearing a pump, then I pass the question over to insulin pump users!!
HICHAM_T2
Well-Known Member
I thank you very much for all this valuable information but let me tell you I do not mean to act in this. Just want everyone to know about this topic.
We are here to learn
HICHAM_T2
Well-Known Member
Yes, the idea of putting information about you is a good idea
AS a T1 of 48 years, I have never had DKA, while I have had plenty of hypos! (Half a dozen which required external intervention from family members and 3 which required an ambulance and a hospital visit though not a hospital admission). I think ID with diabetic information is a very good idea.
lalacakez
Active Member
Simple when your high your crank sleepy pee a lot and drink to much water your mouth taste fruity and you feel miserable when low your unconscious shakey can't speak to save your life or form a sentence awkward twitches hungry you may end up on the food channel and binge eat while watching people cook or eat 
*Edited to remove swear word.
*Edited to remove swear word.
Last edited by a moderator:
Sarah69
Well-Known Member
Not everyone has the symptoms of being high, I don't for one I feel just the same, I'm not sleepy I don't pee a lot nd I'm not thirsty! I do have symptoms when I'm low.Simple when your high your crank sleepy pee a lot and drink to much water your mouth taste fruity and you feel miserable when low your unconscious shakey can't speak to save your life or form a sentence awkward twitches hungry you may end up on the food channel and binge eat while watching people cook or eat
*Edited to remove swear word.
HICHAM_T2
Well-Known Member
I think below 180mg/dl the level you will not find symptoms
When I learned I had diabetes a 2008 to 2014 I don't feel anything but after 2014 I feel thirsty and urinating a lot
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