Hyperglycemia is the main symptom of diabetes. It is characterized by a lack of insulin and an increase in blood sugar levels. An insufficient amount of insulin leads to starvation of the cells of the body, since glucose is poorly absorbed by them. As a result, fatty acids are not completely oxidized, and ketone bodies (acetone) are produced and accumulated. This disrupts the natural metabolism in the body, negatively affects the cardiovascular and nervous system. Diabetic acidosis develops, which has three stages: moderately pronounced, pre-coma, coma.
All these conditions are dangerous for humans, they must be identified in time and provided with first aid. But for this you should know the main symptoms of hyperglycemia.
In the first stages of the onset of acidosis, the patient complains of weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, noise or ringing in the ears; often there is discomfort or pain in the stomach, intense thirst, urination becomes frequent; the human mouth smells like acetone. Measurements of glucose in the blood show its concentration close to 19 mmol / l.
The stage of a diabetic precoma state: a person is constantly sick, vomiting appears, deterioration of consciousness and vision is added to the general weakness. The patient’s breathing quickens and has a sharp smell of acetone, hands and feet become cold. The precomatose state can last more than a day. If you do not help a person, he will develop a diabetic coma.
It is extremely important to know what steps should be taken to provide first aid to a person with severe symptoms of hyperglycemia.
First of all, you need to measure your blood sugar. If the rate is above 14 mmol / l, insulin-dependent patients should be given an insulin injection and provide them with plenty of fluids. Sugar measurements should be carried out every two hours and insulin should be administered until the amount of glucose in the blood normalizes.
Patients whose blood sugar level does not drop need to be hospitalized: due to acidosis, breathing problems may occur and an oxygen mask will need to be used.
In order to remove acetone from the body, the stomach should be washed with a solution of sodium bicarbonate (soda).
Insulin-independent people with hyperglycemic complications (precome) should neutralize the increased acidity of the body. To do this, you need to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, drink mineral water in large quantities. Ordinary baking soda dissolved in water (a couple of teaspoons per glass) will also help reduce acidity.
Often with acidosis, the patient may lose consciousness. To bring him to his senses, you can use an enema with a solution of soda. In a pre-coma state, a person’s skin becomes dry and rough. It should be rubbed with a damp towel, especially the forehead, wrists, neck, area under the knees.
It must be remembered: a dehydrated body needs to replenish fluids. But if a person has lost consciousness, it is impossible to pour water into his mouth, as he may choke.
To avoid a diabetic coma, you need to carefully monitor your own condition, control your diet, devote time to physical exercises (do exercises in the morning, walk in the fresh air).
With hyperglycemia, it is important to follow a diet: give up sweet and fatty, foods rich in carbohydrates. Excess weight is also one of the catalysts for hyperglycemia and one of the causes of diabetes.
If your doctor has prescribed sugar-lowering medications, you need to take them strictly on schedule, as a missed dose can cause acidosis. Such drugs are designed to produce insulin in the pancreas. They can also interfere with the production of glucose in the blood or help the body use it faster.
Traditional medicine will also be a good helper for hyperglycemia. There are a large number of medicinal plants and products that will help the patient to reduce the concentration of sugar in the blood and regain health.