Getting Help for Diabetes Problems
Your diabetes management plan may direct you to call your doctor or get emergency
medical care if your child has diabetes problems such as hyperglycemia,
ketoacidosis, or hypoglycemia.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is when the blood glucose level is too high. Your child could
have this for several reasons, such as not receiving enough insulin; eating or drinking
large amounts of sugar- or carbohydrate-containing foods; or if ill, injured, or under
physical or emotional stress.
Call the doctor if:
- blood sugar levels are staying higher than the target ranges set by the diabetes
team, especially if your child has symptoms of very high blood sugar, like increased
thirst and urination
- in addition to high blood sugar levels, your child has ketones in the urine, a
sign of possible diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
High levels of ketones make the blood more acidic, a condition known as diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA). Ketoacidosis is a severe, life-threatening condition
that needs immediate medical care.
In most cases, DKA happens when a person with diabetes isn't getting enough insulin
(so blood sugar levels are usually high, too) or is stressed by illness or injury.
When the body can't use glucose for fuel, it breaks down fat for energy instead. When
fat is broken down, the body produces chemicals called ketones, which appear in the
blood and urine (pee).
Get medical care right away if your child has ketones
in the pee and symptoms or signs of DKA like:
- belly pain
- nausea or vomiting
- deep, fast breathing
- extreme drowsiness or confusion
- loss of consciousness (passing out)
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is when the blood glucose level is too low. People are more likely
to have hypoglycemia (also called low blood sugar) if they don't eat enough, if they
take too much glucose-lowering medicine (such as insulin), or if they exercise more
than usual.
You should suspect hypoglycemia if your child feels:
- extremely hungry
- shaky
- sweaty
- weak
- drowsy
- dizzy
If you can, do a blood sugar
test to confirm that the symptoms are due to low blood sugar. But if you can't
test immediately, don't delay treating your child's symptoms — you can
always check the blood sugar after the level is back up into the normal range.
The diabetes management plan should include instructions on how to recognize and
treat hypoglycemia. Always treat hypoglycemia first, then call the doctor if you have
questions or concerns.
Give your child a glucagon
injection immediately (according to the instructions in the diabetes
management plan) if your child has symptoms of severe hypoglycemia, such as:
- confusion
- loss of consciousness (passing out)
- seizures
Trying to give your child sugary foods, drinks, or glucose tablets may be very
difficult or even dangerous in this situation. Don't delay treatment by trying to
call a doctor or ambulance.
After getting a glucagon injection for a severe low blood sugar episode, a child
should wake up within 10 to 15 minutes and be able to eat or take sugar or glucose
tablets to help prevent the blood sugar from falling again. If your child doesn't
respond to the glucagon injection, call 911.
Contact the doctor or diabetes team if:
- your child has had a severe low blood sugar episode (after you have treated it)
- your child is having more frequent or unexplained episodes of hypoglycemia
If your child is having problems with hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, contact the
diabetes health care team to discuss whether changes in treatment are needed.