Diabetes-Related High And Low Blood Sugar Levels: Emergencies

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Emergencies

Does the person with diabetes have any of the following symptoms:

• Unconsciousness
• A seizure. See protecting a victim from harm during a seizure.
• Severe dehydration is present:
  • In a child.
  • In an adult or older child.
• A person is losing consciousness or becoming sleepy or lethargic and is not able to swallow water without choking or coughing, preventing him or her from following the appropriate guidelines for low blood sugar levels.

Note:

If a person becomes sleepy or lethargic but is able to swallow water without choking or coughing, check his or her blood sugar. If the person has a blood sugar level less than 60 mg/dL, follow the appropriate guidelines for emergency care for low blood sugar. A child who takes insulin A child who takes only oral diabetic medicine An adult or teen who takes insulin An adult or teen who does not take insulin injections A woman who has gestational diabetes

Last updated:	September 22, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer