No, it’s not Drugs… it’s Hypoglycemia

As I walked into the store, I saw a lady sitting in a chair. She looked really confused. The employees tending to her seemed annoyed and were trying to get her out of the store. I watched for a moment as she sat there pale and shaking, unable to respond to their questions. They didn’t know what was going on. I looked down and saw an insulin pen in her open purse, and I knew right away what was going on. She was not on drugs, she was experiencing a severe episode of hypoglycemia.

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This is a story I hear all too often. Sometimes it’s an elderly man in his car in the middle of an intersection, unable to drive his car. He’s surrounded by motorists who honk at him rather than help him.

Or it’s a teen lying on the ground shaking, unable to control her movements, while onlookers take videos with their cell phones instead of using them to call an ambulance.

People witness someone with hypoglycemia and assume they are on drugs. They see the symptoms and decide to keep walking.

While they’re passing by, this person desperately needs help. And the solution is so simple.

Some Common Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

• Shaking
• Nervous or anxious
• Sweating
• Confusion or delirium
• Lightheaded or dizzy
• Pale complexion
• Weakness or fatigue
• Lack of coordination
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

As you can see, many of the symptoms are ones you might expect someone to have if they’re drunk or on drugs. I point this out because it seems to make a difference to people, the reason for the symptoms, rather than the symptoms themselves.

What to do if someone is experiencing Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the lack of glucose in the body. In type 1 diabetics this is usually caused by taking too much insulin or doing more exercise than expected.

So what can you do? It’s simple.

If they can communicate with you, do what they’re asking. They’ll probably want you to find some sugar (juice box or sugar tabs) and give it to them. They may be aware of what needs to be done but unable to physically do it themselves.

If they cannot communicate with you, either because they’re confused, unable to speak, or unconscious, call 911. Check if the person has a medical alert bracelet or tattoo (generally on the wrist) and let the dispatcher know if you find one.

The dispatcher will likely ask you to find some sugar and try to get the person to eat/ drink it. (Veteran T1D Mom trick: honey or cake icing can be put in the mouth and absorbed even if the person is unable to swallow.)

Either way, after sugar is ingested, the person will usually start coming around within 15 or 20 minutes and should be able to let you know if they need any further help. If an ambulance has been called, wait with the person until it arrives.

And that’s how you save someone’s life with sugar.

If you either can’t find sugar or can’t get them to eat/ drink any, call 911 and listen to the dispatcher’s instructions.

One Final Disclaimer and Pet Peeve

First, the disclaimer:

Seriously folks, sometimes these symptoms ARE due to drug use. Even if it’s a diabetic person or someone with another medical condition, they have the ability to lash out and harm you.

Always assess the situation before trying to lend a hand. If you don’t feel comfortable entering the scenario, then don’t.

I am not asking you to put yourself in harm’s way to help a stranger.

But that brings me to the pet peeve:

Just because you don’t feel comfortable, that doesn’t mean you should walk away.

Call for help. That’s why we have first responders. They deal with things like this for a living.

Even if a person is experiencing these symptoms for another reason, including drug use or alcohol abuse, they are serious symptoms that need medical attention. So please, PLEASE, help the unresponsive person lying shaking on the ground, no matter why they ended up there.

And in case you’ve missed the takeaway from this whole article: Call 911 if you see someone who needs help and you don’t know how to help them.

Because one day, you might come across a shaking woman in a store, who has an insulin pen in her purse, and unlike everyone around you, you’ll know right away what is going on.

~ Help those in need

Leah

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