first aid for a diabetic emergency

Learn adult first aid advice on what to do if someone has low blood sugar (hypoglycaemic) and is experiencing a diabetic emergency

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition that affects blood sugar levels. Normally, people’s bodies maintain the ideal blood sugar levels automatically. When a person has diabetes, their body fails to maintain the blood sugar balance, so they need to manage it through diet, tablets or insulin injections.

Sometimes, a person who has diabetes can suffer diabetic emergencies, which require first aid.

Signs and symptoms of a diabetic emergency

Someone who is hypoglycaemic (having a low blood sugar diabetic emergency) may have symptoms including:

clammy skin
sweating
feel drowsy and confused
feel faint
be unresponsive

First aid steps to help someone with a diabetic emergency

1. Help them to rest and give them something sugary to eat or a non-diet drink.

A woman helps another woman to sit down comfortably.

2. Reassure the person. If they respond well, give them more sugary food.

A woman reaching for a bowl of sugary sweets on a table.

3. If the person does not improve call 999.

First aid for a diabetic emergency (video)

Lydia's experience with type 1 diabetes will help you learn the main symptoms of a diabetic emergency and what to do when someone has low blood sugar levels.

Watch a British Sign Language version of how to help someone who is having a diabetic emergency.

Frequently asked questions about first aid for someone who is having a diabetic emergency

What happens in a diabetic emergency?

In most cases, the person’s blood sugar levels become too low. This is called hypoglycaemia. It can happen when the person has missed a meal or exercised too much. If left untreated, a diabetic emergency can become very serious.

What should I give them to eat or drink?

You can give them sugary drinks such as cola, lemonade, fruit juice and isotonic sports drinks, and sweet foods such as jelly beans, chocolate and sugar cubes. The person may also be carrying glucose gel or tablets. Avoid giving them a diet drink, as it won’t have any sugar in it and will not help them.

But some people have high blood sugar levels, so won’t giving them sugary drinks or food make their diabetic emergency worse?

Some people do have high blood sugar levels, but giving them sugary drinks or food is unlikely to do any harm.

How will I know if this is a long-term condition for the person?

They should be able to tell you, so listen to what they say. They may have some form of identification on them (e.g. a card, bracelet or necklace) that will give you information about their condition, or they may be carrying an insulin pen, glucose gel or glucose tablets.

What should I do if they become unresponsive as a result of a diabetic emergency?

Follow our first aid advice for when someone is unresponsive. This will be different depending on their age group and whether they're breathing.

How should I decide when to call 999?

Call 999 if the person’s condition doesn’t improve or they become unresponsive.

If you have any other questions about first aid for someone who is having a diabetic emergency, visit the NHS website. During life-threatening emergencies, call 999, or for non-emergency medical help, call 111.

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