Diabetes

In order for us to function our bodies need sugar for energy. The sugar comes from the food we eat and as the food progresses through the digestive system, the body breaks down food into sugars, which are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas, is necessary to take sugar into the cells. Without a proper balance of sugar and insulin the cells will starve and the body will not function properly.

There are two major types of diabetes.

• Type I is insulin-dependent diabetes and occurs because the body is producing little or no insulin at all.
• Type II is non-insulin dependent, this occurs because even though the body is producing insulin, it is not producing enough for the body’s needs.

Signs and Symptoms

Changes in the level of consciousness, including dizziness, drowsiness and confusion, and sometimes mistaken for drunkeness.

• Rapid breathing 
• Rapid pulse 
• The casualty feeling and looking unwell
• First Aid Management 
• If the casualty is conscious and able to swallow, give a sweetened drink.
• When the casualty is more alert, they then need to eat something 
• If after several minutes there is no improvement, seek urgent medical attention 
• If the casualty is unconcious, seek urgent medical attention and monitor their airway and breathing, if necessary commence CPR.

What should you do?

We all respond to emergencies in different ways.

Whether trained or untrained, some of us are afraid we will do the wrong thing and make the situation worse.

If you are unsure about what to do, call for an ambulance.

The worst thing to do is to do nothing.