Most of the time, diabetes is managed day to day with the habits covered elsewhere in this Education Center. But a few situations are medical emergencies that need care right away. Not a wait-and-see approach.
Seek emergency care immediately if you or someone else shows:
- Extreme thirst combined with frequent urination, nausea, and vomiting
- Fast, deep breathing, or breath that smells unusually fruity or sweet
- Confusion, difficulty staying awake, or trouble speaking clearly
- Sudden, severe weakness, shaking, or heavy sweating
- Fainting, seizures, or loss of consciousness
- A wound, sore, or infection that is rapidly getting worse, especially on the feet
These can be signs of dangerously high or dangerously low blood sugar, both of which can become life-threatening without prompt treatment.
What to do:
Get to the nearest health facility or call for emergency help immediately. Don't wait to see if it passes.
If the person is conscious and able to swallow safely, and you suspect very low blood sugar, something sugary (juice, sugar water, a spoonful of sugar) can help while you get them to care.
If the person is unconscious, having a seizure, or unable to swallow safely, do not give them anything by mouth. Get emergency help immediately.
This list is not exhaustive, and it isn't a substitute for medical training. When in doubt, treat it as an emergency and seek care. It's always better to be checked and find out it wasn't serious than the other way around.