Faire face à l'hyperglycémie

Too little insulin can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia).

If it's not treated and gets worse, the person can gradually become unresponsive (going into a diabetic coma). So it's important to get them to see a doctor in case they need emergency treatment.

Ce qu'il faut rechercher

• Warm, dry skin.

• Rapid pulse and breathing.

• Fruity sweet breath.

• Really thirsty.

• Drowsiness, leading to unresponsiveness if not treated.

Ce qu'il faut faire

• Call 999 or 112 straightaway for medical help and say that you suspect hyperglycaemia.

• While you wait for help to arrive, keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response.

• If they lose responsiveness at any point, open their airway, check their breathing and prepare to treat someone who's become unresponsive.

If you're unsure whether their blood sugar is high or low

If you're not sure whether someone has high or low blood sugar, give them something sugary anyway, as this will quickly relieve low blood sugar and is unlikely to do harm in cases of high blood sugar.

If they don't improve quickly, call 999 or 112 for medical help.

If they lose responsiveness at any point, open their airway, check their breathing and prepare to treat someone who's become unresponsive.

Remarque: ces conseils ne remplacent pas une connaissance approfondie des premiers secours. L'Ambulance Saint-Jean organise des cours de premiers secours dans tout le pays.

Adapted from the St John Ambulance leaflet: diabetic emergency. Copyright for this leaflet is with St John Ambulance.