Acute complications of diabetes
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a low level of glucose (blood sugar) below 3.3 mmol/l - it appears as a consequence of insufficient supply of glucose (unusually intense physical exercise, stress, alcohol, omission of meal, use of certain drugs …). Unrecognized and untreated hypoglycemia can lead to permanent brain damage.
Every insulin user and his relatives should be acquainted with by the signs of hypoglycemia and they should know what to do in case it appears. The leading symptoms of hypoglycemia are: headache, tremor (shivering), crawling / decreased sensitivity, nausea (feeling to be sick), eventually even throwing up (vomiting), increased pulse rate (tachycardia), feeling of distress (anxiety), irritation, fuzziness, weakness, vertigo, loss of consciousness and eventually coma. What to do?
Immediate help is absolutely necessary: In case you measure glycemia, hypoglycemia is found and the patient is conscious - administer easily and quickly absorbable sugar, glucose in the form of gel is the best, or glass of fruit juice or powder, perhaps even slice of bread (in dose of 2 exchangeable units). If the patient is unconscious, administer glucagon intramuscularly (hormone antagonizing insulin, it can be applied by trained non-professional) and call medical assistance - Emergency (155).
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is high level of glucose (blood sugar) above 11 mmol/l - it appears as a consequence of insulin insufficiency (omitted dose, insufficient meal bolus, withdrawal or breaking of cannula in patients with insulin pump - disruption in insulin supply …). If hyperglycemia is not uncovered and compensated in time, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a very severe situation of homeostatic failure, which may lead to hospitalization. You can use test strips diaPHAN in order to ascertain diabetic ketoacidosis and to assess its severity - they are used for testing of presence of ketone bodies and their quantification from urine in home conditions. The main symptoms of hyperglycemia are: thirst, nausea, eventually throwing up (vomiting), bellyache (coelialgia), frequent retting, dehydration, fuzzy vision, deep fast breathing - Kussmaul respiration, acetone smell from mouth, low blood pressure (hypotension), irritation, fatigue, sleepiness (somnolence) and even lethargy. Again - immediate fast help is necessary: In case you measure glycemia and hyperglycemia is found, administer fast insulin (according to instructions from you doctor) and then measure glycemia again. If its level does not drop, call for medical assistance.
