In this training, you will learn what diabetes is, the consequences of diabetes, and first
In this training, you will learn what diabetes is, the consequences of diabetes, and first

aid for a diabetic emergency.
aid for a diabetic emergency.

Many people have the idea that diabetes is all about eating too much sugar. And although
Many people have the idea that diabetes is all about eating too much sugar. And although

a high caloric diet and being overweight are risk factors for diabetes, it’s so much
a high caloric diet and being overweight are risk factors for diabetes, it’s so much

more complicated than that.
more complicated than that.

So, what is Diabetes? It’s a disease where the body does not make insulin or the body
So, what is Diabetes? It’s a disease where the body does not make insulin or the body

does not use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone, produced by the pancreas, that
does not use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone, produced by the pancreas, that

moves sugar, known as glucose, from the bloodstream into the cells. This is a vital process, as
moves sugar, known as glucose, from the bloodstream into the cells. This is a vital process, as

glucose is the body's main source of fuel.
glucose is the body's main source of fuel.

You see, when we eat sugars, starches, and other foods, glucose gets absorbed into the bloodstream and
You see, when we eat sugars, starches, and other foods, glucose gets absorbed into the bloodstream and

the insulin moves the glucose into the body's cells so that they're able to produce energy.
the insulin moves the glucose into the body's cells so that they're able to produce energy.

Insulin is like a key to the door of the body's cells that lets glucose in. When the normal
Insulin is like a key to the door of the body's cells that lets glucose in. When the normal

process of insulin moving glucose into the cells is not working, the cells are starved
process of insulin moving glucose into the cells is not working, the cells are starved

and not able to produce energy in the correct way from the food that we eat.
and not able to produce energy in the correct way from the food that we eat.

Diabetes is a serious condition because the glucose levels in the bloodstream will build
Diabetes is a serious condition because the glucose levels in the bloodstream will build

up to high levels causing many serious health problems. When glucose levels are too
up to high levels causing many serious health problems. When glucose levels are too

high, a person with untreated diabetes can eventually slip into a life-threatening condition
high, a person with untreated diabetes can eventually slip into a life-threatening condition

known as diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetic coma.
known as diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetic coma.

The cause of diabetes is generally unknown. However, genetics and environmental conditions
The cause of diabetes is generally unknown. However, genetics and environmental conditions

are the most common factors. A common misconception is that if a parent has diabetes, the child
are the most common factors. A common misconception is that if a parent has diabetes, the child

will have diabetes. This is only true less than 15% of the time.
will have diabetes. This is only true less than 15% of the time.

Diabetes is often undiagnosed in early stages or symptoms are mistaken for common
Diabetes is often undiagnosed in early stages or symptoms are mistaken for common

illnesses like the flu. If you notice symptoms in yourself or another person, an appointment
illnesses like the flu. If you notice symptoms in yourself or another person, an appointment

with the doctor should be made. The warning signs for diabetes include the following.
with the doctor should be made. The warning signs for diabetes include the following.

Tiredness, excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, sudden weight loss, fruity
Tiredness, excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, sudden weight loss, fruity

or sweet smell on the breath, or sudden changes in vision.
or sweet smell on the breath, or sudden changes in vision.

Diabetes is diagnosed as either Type 1 or Type 2 which is caused by one of three problems.
Diabetes is diagnosed as either Type 1 or Type 2 which is caused by one of three problems.

One, the body is not producing insulin. Two, the body is producing too little insulin;
One, the body is not producing insulin. Two, the body is producing too little insulin;

or three, the body's cells are resistant to the insulin.
or three, the body's cells are resistant to the insulin.

Type 1 diabetes is when a person's body does not produce insulin. Typically a child or
Type 1 diabetes is when a person's body does not produce insulin. Typically a child or

a young person that has been diagnosed with diabetes has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
a young person that has been diagnosed with diabetes has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 1 accounts for about five to ten percent
According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 1 accounts for about five to ten percent

of those diagnosed in the United States.
of those diagnosed in the United States.

Type 2 diabetes is when the body produces too little insulin, or cannot use the insulin
Type 2 diabetes is when the body produces too little insulin, or cannot use the insulin

that is produced, called insulin resistance. It's the most common form of diabetes and
that is produced, called insulin resistance. It's the most common form of diabetes and

it’s on the rise in the United States.
it’s on the rise in the United States.

Mainly adults who are overweight and over age 40 are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Mainly adults who are overweight and over age 40 are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

However, as more children and adolescents in the United States become overweight and
However, as more children and adolescents in the United States become overweight and

inactive, Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in young people.
inactive, Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in young people.

It’s important to treat diabetes early because complications develop silently and gradually
It’s important to treat diabetes early because complications develop silently and gradually

over time. The parts of the body that are most affected by diabetes complications are
over time. The parts of the body that are most affected by diabetes complications are

the eyes. Some of those common problems include cataracts, retinopathy, and glaucoma. The
the eyes. Some of those common problems include cataracts, retinopathy, and glaucoma. The

kidneys; leads to diabetic nephropathy and the need for dialysis or kidney transplant
kidneys; leads to diabetic nephropathy and the need for dialysis or kidney transplant

eventually. It also affects nerves causing nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy; especially
eventually. It also affects nerves causing nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy; especially

numbness, tingling, or sharp pains in the feet or lower legs. Heart and blood vessels
numbness, tingling, or sharp pains in the feet or lower legs. Heart and blood vessels

are also affected. Damage leads to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Your gums
are also affected. Damage leads to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Your gums

can be affected, which leads to gum disease and early tooth loss. And feet problems always
can be affected, which leads to gum disease and early tooth loss. And feet problems always

are related to the lack of blood flow and the risk of poor healing which sometimes gets
are related to the lack of blood flow and the risk of poor healing which sometimes gets

infected and leads to amputation.
infected and leads to amputation.

So then, what is the cure for diabetes? Well, there isn’t any. However that does not mean
So then, what is the cure for diabetes? Well, there isn’t any. However that does not mean

that a person with diabetes is doomed. Diabetes can be managed successfully by eating right,
that a person with diabetes is doomed. Diabetes can be managed successfully by eating right,

getting regular exercise, properly taking medication and glucose monitoring on a regular basis.
getting regular exercise, properly taking medication and glucose monitoring on a regular basis.

People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin by injection to live. People with Type 2 diabetes
People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin by injection to live. People with Type 2 diabetes

take glucose-lowering medications by mouth or injection. Adults and especially young
take glucose-lowering medications by mouth or injection. Adults and especially young

people with Type 2 diabetes often need insulin in addition to glucose lowering medications.
people with Type 2 diabetes often need insulin in addition to glucose lowering medications.

With both Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the goal is to control blood glucose levels by keeping
With both Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the goal is to control blood glucose levels by keeping

them within a target range. A normal range on a blood glucose monitor is usually between
them within a target range. A normal range on a blood glucose monitor is usually between

80 and 110. However, a normal range will vary and is determined more for each individual
80 and 110. However, a normal range will vary and is determined more for each individual

depending on their specific needs.
depending on their specific needs.

Diabetes can lead to the need for first aid when it’s out of control. An emergency usually
Diabetes can lead to the need for first aid when it’s out of control. An emergency usually

is caused when a person doesn't take their diabetic medicines as directed; doesn't follow the
is caused when a person doesn't take their diabetic medicines as directed; doesn't follow the

meal plan; they might have problems when they exercise too or not enough and don’t adjust
meal plan; they might have problems when they exercise too or not enough and don’t adjust

their medications or their diabetic plan, or they suffer from an illness or are having
their medications or their diabetic plan, or they suffer from an illness or are having

too much stress in their life and they’re not checking their blood sugar levels enough
too much stress in their life and they’re not checking their blood sugar levels enough

to monitor appropriately.
to monitor appropriately.

A diabetic emergency can happen anytime with or without warning. Too low of blood sugar,
A diabetic emergency can happen anytime with or without warning. Too low of blood sugar,

called hypoglycemia, is the most common problem and causes rapid changes. This is called insulin
called hypoglycemia, is the most common problem and causes rapid changes. This is called insulin

shock. Too high of blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. But that takes a longer time to develop and
shock. Too high of blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. But that takes a longer time to develop and

can lead to diabetic coma.
can lead to diabetic coma.

To provide first aid in a diabetic emergency, you don’t need to know whether a person
To provide first aid in a diabetic emergency, you don’t need to know whether a person

has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or whether a person's glucose levels are too high or
has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or whether a person's glucose levels are too high or

too low. The most important thing is to recognize an emergency and provide first aid as needed.
too low. The most important thing is to recognize an emergency and provide first aid as needed.

Diabetic emergency signs & symptoms include the following: altered level of consciousness,
Diabetic emergency signs & symptoms include the following: altered level of consciousness,

pale, sweaty skin, shakiness, personality changes, irritability, weakness, dizziness,
pale, sweaty skin, shakiness, personality changes, irritability, weakness, dizziness,

difficulty breathing, seizures and even coma.
difficulty breathing, seizures and even coma.

First aid for a person having a diabetic emergency, is giving sugar by mouth if they’re conscious.
First aid for a person having a diabetic emergency, is giving sugar by mouth if they’re conscious.

You can do this by mixing a teaspoon or two of sugar in a small cup of water. You could
You can do this by mixing a teaspoon or two of sugar in a small cup of water. You could

give them some candy, or maybe a sugary drink. Please make sure they’re not sugar free.
give them some candy, or maybe a sugary drink. Please make sure they’re not sugar free.

If a person has too low of glucose giving sugar will help the person improve usually
If a person has too low of glucose giving sugar will help the person improve usually

within a few minutes. If the person has too high of glucose, the sugar will not improve
within a few minutes. If the person has too high of glucose, the sugar will not improve

their condition, but it will not make their condition worse in the short term either.
their condition, but it will not make their condition worse in the short term either.

In either case, the person needs to check their glucose level as soon as possible to
In either case, the person needs to check their glucose level as soon as possible to

determine further need for care. If unconscious or the condition does not improve, do not
determine further need for care. If unconscious or the condition does not improve, do not

give anything by mouth and activate emergency medical services, and then check for responsiveness
give anything by mouth and activate emergency medical services, and then check for responsiveness

and normal breathing. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR.
and normal breathing. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR.