1. Diabetes Larry Lambert, EMT- Paramedic Acadian Integrated Services MP 252

2. What is Diabetes? Disorder of metabolism – Insufficient production of insulin Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugars and starches to usable energy by the body Cause of Diabetes is still a mystery ….there are some genetic and environmental facts appear to play a role.. Obesity and lack of exercise in particular

3. Prevalence of Diabetes About 21 million children and adults in the US have diabetes It is estimated another 6.2 million have the disease and aren ’ t aware The disease is diagnosed by either a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

4. Types of Diabetes Type 1 – Failure of the body to produce sufficient insulin Type 2 – Body fails to use the insulin effectively Gestational Diabetes – about 4 % pregnant females develop GD during pregnancy; of those almost half develop type 1 in later life, particularly post menopausal

5. What is insulin? Insulin is a hormone It is produced in the pancreas The pancreas is a digestive organ that sits behind the stomach and produces other enzymes of digestion Carbohydrates are absorbed into the intestines Most cells of the body have insulin receptors These receptors pick up insulin then together they absorb sugar for energy into the cells

7. How do we make Insulin? In the 1920 ’ s Dr. Banting and Best discovered insulin in dogs. Even though the pancreas produces other hormones, they isolated the insulin and found how to harvest it. Later the same technique was used to to “ harvest ” insulin from pigs and cows. By the 1980 ’ s DNA technology allowed us to make insulin from human cells.

8. Signs and symptoms of Diabetes Excessive Urination Excessive Wt loss Increased Irritability Slow healing wounds Excessive Thirst Extreme Hunger Blurry Vision Increased fatigue

9. Diabetic Emergencies

10. Insulin shock Hypoglycemia Sudden Onset Rapid Heart Rate Dizziness Change in behavior – erratic – intoxicated like state Headache Pale & Sweaty Skin Unconsciousness

11. Treatment of Diabetic Emergencies Patient/Rescuer Safety Support ABC ’ s Call for EMS/Medic If patient is conscious and showing signs of hypoglycemia give regular soft drink or fruit juice with high sugar content Follow up with peanut butter, crackers

12. Diabetic Coma Hyperglycemia Gradual Onset - hours to days Thirst Dehydration Fever – red skin Ketone breath Change in mental status