Back to Newsletter

Commonest Diabetic Emergencies

“I feel tired and exhausted” in a patient with a diabetic condition can mean an underlying emergency.

Patients with diabetes can have high sugar as well as low sugar.

commonest-diabetic-emergencies

The commonest diabetic emergencies are:

  • Hypoglycemia – low sugars
  • Hyperglycemia leading to diabetic keto acidosis or hyperosmolar state
  • Infections commonly cellulitis, urinary infection
  • Silent heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Emergency
    What It Means
    Why It Happens
    How It Feels
    What to Do
  • Hypoglycemia
    Low sugar levels in blood
    Tiredness, confusion, seizures, passing out
    • Recognise it
    • Check blood glucose
    • Take 2 spoons of sugar if conscious
      “Rule 15-15”-15 g carb and check sugars after 15 minutes
    • If unconscious, rush to emergency room
  • Hypoglycemia
    High sugar levels
    • Inadequate insulin
    • Infections
    • Any other illness in the body
    Tiredness, extreme thirst, peeing often, breathlessness, belly pain
    Take to emergency room immediately

    • will need insulin and intravenous fluids immediately
  • Infections
    Infection in the urine, lung, skin, etc.
    High sugar levels lower body immunity causing increased risk of infections
    Tiredness, fever, burning urination (urine infection), cough (lung infection), swelling and pain in feet (skin infection)
    Take to emergency room to identify the infection and to start on antibiotics
  • Silent heart attack
    Blockage of blood vessels supplying the heart
    Diabetes can accelerate the formation of blockages in vessels
    Tiredness, heaviness, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, may not be typically chest pain alone
    Take to emergency room for ECG, blood tests
  • Stroke
    Blockage of blood vessels in the neck and brain
    High sugar levels can increase the plaque formation in vessels
    Facial weakness, arms weakness, slurred speech, can be transient also
    Time is brain Take to emergency room immediately for evaluation and imaging

Managing Diabetic Emergencies Tips: ABCDE

A – Ask for help if you are feeling tired. It could be an emergency!!!

B – Blood sugar testing strips at home – glucometer is very handy in emergencies like low sugars.

C – “Chocolate in your pocket” at all times – immediately helps for low sugars in case of a missed meal during travel, etc.

D – Diet and drug harmony go hand in hand in preventing complications of diabetes. Also digitize your latest medical reports including HbA1c, ECG, creatinine in your mobile using apps like Bluestar diabetic app, Medical ID app for use anytime, anywhere, anyplace.

E – Emergency kit at home containing glucometer, chocolate/sugar sachets and emergency contact number might be lifesaving!!!

Dr.Vidya2019-09-23%2011:21:55am

Dr. Vidya Saketharaman
Consultant Emergency Care
Kauvery Hospital Chennai

Find Doctor
Book Appointment