By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    healthcare cybersecurity
    4 Helpful Tips on How to Protect Your Medical Practice Against Cyber Attacks
    October 24, 2021
    Health Check Diagnosis Medical Condition Analysis Concept
    6 Health Woes With Online Remedies
    January 19, 2022
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    April 24, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    healthy nursing school habits
    Healthy Habits for Nursing Student Nursing School Students
    May 24, 2024
    High Deductables
    High-Deductible Insurance and Rising Bad Debt
    July 24, 2015
    How People Are Taking Advantage of Health Deals in the Recent Recession
    February 5, 2021
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Diabetic Emergencies 101
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Diabetic Emergencies 101
Public HealthWilderness Medicine

Diabetic Emergencies 101

CWSonline
Last updated: February 8, 2012 10:06 am
CWSonline
Share
7 Min Read
SHARE

One of the leading causes of amputation and disability in the United States, diabetes is an endocrine problem where the pancreas fails to produce adequate amounts of insulin, or perhaps doesn’t produce any insulin at all.

It’s a pretty common problem, so you may very well encounter someone with diabetes while you’re in the wilderness. In a healthy person, once ingesting food, the body breaks it down and insulin is used to transport nutrients (such as sugar) into the cells for use.

One of the leading causes of amputation and disability in the United States, diabetes is an endocrine problem where the pancreas fails to produce adequate amounts of insulin, or perhaps doesn’t produce any insulin at all.

It’s a pretty common problem, so you may very well encounter someone with diabetes while you’re in the wilderness. In a healthy person, once ingesting food, the body breaks it down and insulin is used to transport nutrients (such as sugar) into the cells for use.

More Read

Image
More Obesity News from The Lancet
Patient Power: Many Miles Traveled, Many More to Go
Medicare’s Data Release Places More Power in Hands of Informed Medical Consumers
Person-Centered HealthCare: EndoGoal – the Diabetes App That Rewards
Patient Commando Features Canadian Women Changing Healthcare


TYPES OF DIABETES

There are two types of diabetes: insulin dependent diabetics (Type I) that rely almost entirely upon supplementary insulin to “feed their cells” and survive, while non-insulin dependent diabetics (Type II) have a pancreas that creates enough insulin for survival, but needs to be helped with proper diet and oral diabetes medications (some decrease sugar, and some tell the pancreas to make more insulin).

Type II diabetes has been shown to be linked with obesity; and sadly, is being diagnosed in younger and younger patients. After some time, a person with non-insulin dependent diabetes may become insulin-dependent.

Any diabetic should be prepared for an outing with adequate supplies and testing capabilities. They should discuss with the group leader ahead of time what the evacuation parameters are in case of a diabetic emergency (for example: two readings over 250, or one reading below 60). The two manifestations of blood sugar levels causing a potentially life-threatening condition are hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.


HYPOGLYCEMIA (95%)

Hypoglycemia accounts for nearly 95% of all diabetic emergencies, and occurs when the body’s blood sugar levels drop too low. Though diabetics are more at risk of this, non-diabetics may suffer episodes of hypoglycemia from time to time.

If someone suddenly exhibits signs such as cool/clammy skin, a shallow, rapid pulse, and a case of the “umbles” (grumbles, mumbles, stumbles, fumbles, tumbles, etc.), they may be experiencing a hypoglycemic event. This can be caused by skipping meals, illness, strenuous activity, or too much insulin. If our blood sugar drops too low, we are at risk for coma or even death. Treat this person by administering sugar!


HYPERGLYCEMIA (5%)

Accounting for only about 5% of all diabetic emergencies, hyperglycemia has a more gradual onset. Hyperglycemia takes place when blood sugar levels are too high. Depending upon a diabetic’s normal blood sugar level, they may begin exhibiting symptoms of hyperglycemia when their sugar is 200, or it may be 600 before they show symptoms.

These patients may appear to have flushed dry skin, be restless, may appear drunk, be tachycardic (have a very fast heartbeat), have rapid breathing, and have “fruity” breath. If hyperglycemia continues unmanaged, the patient may become comatose. The treatment for this is evacuation. You do not want to administer their insulin because even the slightest overdose can be fatal. They will die faster from hypoglycemia than from hyperglycemia. Remember that!


TREATING DIABETIC EMERGENCIES

Besides using the patient’s glucometer to measure their blood glucose levels, there is no definitive way of telling the difference between hypo- and hyperglycemia. Both diabetic emergencies present themselves as a patient who is ALoR, may be having trouble breathing, is most likely combative, and may appear to be teetering on the verge of shock.


SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: DIABETIC EMERGENCIES

+ Altered Level of Responsiveness
+ Cool, clammy skin
+ Weak & shallow heart beat
+ Classic signs of shock
+ Combative behavior
+ Sweet mouth odor

We know that over 95% of all diabetic emergencies are due to low blood sugar levels, and therefore the treatment for all diabetic emergencies is the same: administer sugar. Since most diabetic related emergencies are due to low blood sugar levels, this approach should warrant you seeing a noticeable increase in their overall appearance and level of responsiveness within minutes.

If you don’t see a dramatic increase in the patient’s mental status, suspect hyperglycemia and begin planning your evacuation route immediately. Simple sugars are the best type of sugar to administer, and can be found in cake icing, pop-rocks candy, and sugar paste.

For patients showing decreased mental status, place sugar in their mouth along the gums to avoid choking. You may need to administer a significant amount of sugar to have an effect.

If you decide to use cake icing, be sure to get white icing as white isn’t a color that is easily confused with other liquids, etc. Blue icing would turn your patient’s lips blue. Are they blue now because of the icing or because they are turning cyanotic?


NEVER
administer a patient’s insulin. The slightest overdose may be fatal.


Copyright © The Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness First Aid
2011 The Center for Wilderness Safety Inc. ALL rights reserved.

 

TAGGED:diabetes
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Stand Out from the Crowd? Think Again

February 3, 2015
healthcare incentives
BusinessPublic Health

Did We Learn the Secret to Fixing Healthcare in Kindergarten?

October 8, 2014

12 Ways to Health Holiday Song

December 11, 2011
Image
Public Health

Boomer Voice

June 12, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?