A person with diabetes may have an emergency caused by?

A person with diabetes can experience emergencies related to blood sugar levels because both hyperglycemia (very high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar) can have immediate and serious health implications.

When blood sugar levels are too high, the body cannot effectively utilize glucose for energy, leading to symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and in severe cases, diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be life-threatening. This condition often arises when there is not enough insulin in the body to help glucose enter the cells.

Conversely, very low blood sugar levels can lead to hypoglycemia, which can cause confusion, weakness, sweating, tremors, and loss of consciousness if not promptly treated. This occurs when there is too much insulin relative to the amount of glucose in the bloodstream, which can happen if a person with diabetes takes their medication but does not eat enough.

Therefore, recognizing that both scenarios can pose significant risks helps in managing diabetes effectively and understanding the necessary responses in an emergency situation.