Cambridge, NY November 8, 2011 — Every 17 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes and 1 in 3 American adults is projected to have diabetes by 2050 unless steps are taken to stop this trend, according to the American Diabetes Association. They also advise that diabetes kills more people each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. During this month of November, which is American Diabetes Month, the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad would like to share information with the community about this disease currently affecting 26 million children and adults, with another 79 million at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious disease that can have life-threatening consequences if not controlled. CVRS answers a couple of dozen calls each year for serious diabetic conditions. Diabetes results when the pancreas is not producing insulin or, as in Type 2 diabetes, there is not enough insulin being produced. Insulin helps glucose get into our body’s cells and provide valuable nutrition. Insulin deficiencies cause increased blood glucose levels that can result in damage to the patient’s eyes, kidneys, nervous system, and heart as an effect of poor circulation. Long term effects associated with the illness can cause deterioration of the extremities, frequently resulting in amputations. Though Type I diabetes, also called juvenile-onset diabetes, is diagnosed in young children and requires regular insulin injections, Type 2 diabetes is significantly preventable and in many cases treated with a healthy diet and exercise. If diagnosed, symptoms of Type 2 diabetes can virtually disappear with proper personal care. Another form of diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, may occur during pregnancy but generally disappears after the baby is born.
A diabetic with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may have an “altered mental status”, similar to someone who is intoxicated. The person may be delirious, combative, or shaky. Speech may be slurred and weakness or delirium may cause the person to stumble. Vision may also be impaired. Hypoglycemia is a life-threatening emergency.
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis) may cause nausea, irritability, weakness, or convulsions. One may be excessively thirsty and urinate frequently. A key sign that a patient’s sugar might be too high is breath with a strong, fruity smell, similar to Fruit Loops. High blood sugar causes significant dehydration and can lead cause long term impairment.
When you or someone you know may be encountering a diabetic emergency, call 911. Look for medic alert tags around the patient’s neck, wrist, or ankle, or a medical alert ID card in a wallet. A medic alert has a 6-pointed “star-of-life” embossed on it. If a person has high blood sugar, give the person water to drink. If the person with low blood sugar is conscious and can swallow, provide orange juice or some other form of quickly absorbable sugar if that is available. Remember to inform the 911 dispatcher that the patient is a diabetic and include any interventions you have performed. The more information available to emergency teams when they arrive, the quicker they can respond with needed care.
Last month, CVRS answered 83 calls, bringing their yearly total to 748 calls just in the Cambridge community. In addition, they were called to help surrounding communities with other emergency situations. Meanwhile, the EMT-Basic classes continued while advanced training was also held. As part of the requirements of continuing education, certified EMTs spent time last month learning new protocols for up-to-the-minute critical care. In addition to covering procedures involving medications that can reverse the effects of opiates in a patient’s system, they also practiced CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) skills to aid with positive flow of oxygen in the lungs in the event of a respiratory emergency and Pre-hospital Therapeutic Hypothermia, which can slow a patient’s metabolism down after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest to increase chances of survival, much like in stories heard about falling through ice but recovering well. The Junior Squad enlisted three new members and continues to welcome participants who are interested.