If treatment is not received promptly and correctly a diabetes seizure can lead to coma or even death. The more you know about how to respond to a diabetes seizure in advance, the more likely it is that you will know what to do if it ever occurs. Being well-informed a prepared may even save someone’s life. A diabetes seizure can occur because of either too high or too low blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) leads to hyper-excitabilities of the neurons of the central nervous system. When the brain’s neurons become imbalanced, seizures are triggered. Cases involving low sugar levels (hypoglycemia) are actually more common. Low blood sugar levels actually reduce the activity of the neurons in the brain, and the neurons then respond by reducing their communications across the synapses (the space between neurons) to preserve body function. This leads to a seizure of diabetes (Livestrong.com, 2012).
Emergency Response to Diabetes and Seizure
There are specific steps that a person should take immediately if someone near them is showing sign of a diabetes seizure. The first thing to do is call 911, get someone nearby to do it if you can. You should stay with the victim until emergency help arrives. The next thing that you must do is prevent the person from injuring himself. Move him away from any objects that can injure him and do anything that you must to keep him from falling.
It is best, if possible, to lay him on a clear ground surface and push away any objects that are within reach. Removing things such as glasses from the face or objects from the hand is also best. However, you may not be able to as a person having a seizure usually has a ‘death grip’ on objects that they were holding.
Next, loosen any tight clothing, especially ties and collars. Items such as these may restrict the airways. Place a pad, pillow, or rolled-up jacket behind the victims head, and if possible roll the victim over on his or her left side. This keeps vomit or sputum from draining into the airway. It is a common misconception that victims swallow their tongue. You should never put anything into the victim’s mouth.
It is important throughout the process to remain calm, as anxiety is contagious. In the same manner, if you are serine bystanders will be too. Seizures look very scary, but they are often overestimated. Another thing to remember is that convulsions should be timed from beginning to end because longer lasting seizures require different treatment.
