Dorothy FarrarHypoglycemic shock
Diabetes mellitus has become a dreaded civil disease. Even overweight children can get it, and in old age it seems almost unavoidable. But what is so dangerous about diabetes mellitus? In addition to high blood sugar, low blood sugar and the associated hypoglycemic shock lurk as a constant danger .
What is hypoglycemic shock?
The so-called hypoglycemic shock is an emergency situation in diabetics (people suffering from diabetes mellitus). If there is massive hypoglycemia , i.e. severe low blood sugar, hypglycaemic shock can threaten as a complication.
Values below 40mg/dl are generally referred to as hypoglycaemia, even if there are no symptoms yet. If this value falls further and the patient loses consciousness, the emergency situation of hypoglycemic shock has occurred. This emergency is life-threatening and, in the worst case, can be fatal. Nonetheless, it is an avoidable complication.
causes
The cause of hypoglycemic shock is directly related to diabetes mellitus. Although hypoglycaemia is unpleasant for healthy people, they feel weak, tired and exhausted, but it cannot be life-threatening or even fatal here, since the body can regulate blood sugar itself.A diabetic must always ensure that they consume enough carbohydrates and either take their pills correctly or inject the appropriate amount of insulin . If the patient now stimulates his pancreas excessively (due to an overdose of antidiabetics or through excessive exercise), if he injects too much insulin or if he takes in too few carbohydrates through food, the sugar in the blood will be broken down excessively.
The liver is increasingly asked to break down glucose in the body. As a result of this imbalance, low blood sugar gradually occurs and ultimately shock.
When to the doctor?
Mild hypoglycemic shock can be self-managed by eating a small meal with sufficient carbohydrates. In the case of severe hypoglycaemia, on the other hand, you should consult a doctor immediately. If the person is still conscious, dextrose, carbohydrates, or appropriate emergency medication should be given. The measures must be repeated every 15 minutes until the blood sugar has stabilized or a doctor is available.
In case of unconsciousness, the emergency doctor must be informed immediately. Until this arrives, the affected person must be placed in a stable lateral position and supplied with suitable drugs (e.g. glucagon or glucose) intravenously. To reduce the risk of suffocation, the mouth should be cleaned of leftover food and, if necessary, dentures. Regardless of the severity, a doctor should be consulted after hypoglycemic shock. By talking to the doctor, the reasons for the hypoglycaemia can be determined. As a result, further seizures can be reliably avoided. There may also be an impaired perception of hypoglycaemia.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of hypoglycemic shock:
The visible symptoms of hypoglycemic shock include deep unconsciousness and a measurable blood sugar level of up to 40mg/dl. Heralds of hypoglycemic shock, hyperglycaemia, are manifested by nausea, vomiting, sweating or cold sweats, tremors, general malaise, tiredness, poor concentration and possibly irritability and expressions of aggression.
These are already acute signs that, if treated in time, can prevent hypoglycemic shock. If left untreated, hypoglycemia in diabetics always leads to hypoglycaemic shock in the short or medium term. If left untreated, hypoglycemic shock will always lead to death, which can still happen today.
Diagnose
Although the diagnosis of hypoglycemic shock is always made by the emergency doctor, at best relatives or colleagues need to know that such an emergency can occur in diabetics. You must act immediately and can be life saving!
Every diabetic ideally carries a blood glucose meter with them at all times. In an emergency, the first aider should already know how to operate such a device, and this should also be practiced beforehand. If the value is below 40mg/dl, act immediately! The top priority is of course “Keep calm”.
complications
Hypoglycemic shock can lead to unconsciousness if left untreated. In severe cases, a diabetic coma is fatal. In less severe cases, the shock leads to severe malaise and sudden fatigue – both associated with an increased risk of accidents.
Symptoms of vomiting include dehydration , nutrient deficiencies, and occasionally aspiration. If food gets into the esophagus, this can lead to shortness of breath and, if first aid measures are not taken, to suffocation.
Hypoglycemic shock usually has an impact on the patient’s mental state. Panic attacks and aggressive behavior can occur .
In the long term, a life-threatening condition can cause traumatic symptoms and promote the development of anxiety disorders and depression . Intravenous treatment of hypoglycemic shock carries the risk of infection and edema.
Rarely, medication can interact with the patient’s diabetes medication. The typical side effects of the preparations used occasionally cause major complications. Very rarely, the glucose preparation is overdosed – this can lead to life-threatening complications and in individual cases even to the death of the patient.
treatment and therapy
The treatment of hypoglycemic shock is the immediate administration of glucose (dextrose), ideally in an intravenous form, the diabetic may also have an emergency injection. If this is not possible, dextrose can also be administered via the mucous membranes (mouth, but in principle also rectally possible). Here it is quickly absorbed and raises the blood sugar level again, although this takes a few minutes.
The piece of dextrose can simply be placed in the cheek pouch, but care should be taken that the patient does not suffocate in his unconsciousness ! It is therefore essential to turn the patient to the side and, if necessary, to remove the dentures. The emergency doctor must be informed immediately.
To save valuable time in an emergency, a piece of glucose can be placed in the cheek pouch before the blood glucose level is measured. The emergency doctor can then be called and the value can be transmitted to him directly. Fears that these measures could cause the patient to slip too far into hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) are initially of secondary importance.
prevention
Diabetics usually deal intensively with their illness, it is a constant companion in everyday life. In this respect, most sufferers know how to avoid hypoglycemia and the associated hypoglycaemic shock. A sufficient intake of carbohydrates, no excessive sporting activity, as well as the correct intake and administration of medication and insulin injections largely prevent the risk of hypoglycemic shock.If the people closest to you, i.e. family members, friends and colleagues, are then informed about what to do in an emergency and they feel safe in their role as first aiders, hypoglycaemia can actually not pose any real danger nowadays. Mentally impaired people or children are of course dependent on their helpers, parents and carers who accompany them during their illness and are responsible for them.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.