1. Unconscious Patient: The Most Important Thing is to ‘Secure the Airway’
A situation where a patient has lost consciousness due to hypoglycemia, or is so dazed they cannot swallow properly, is a dire emergency. The first things to consider are the patient’s safety and ‘securing the airway.’
2. Why You Shouldn’t Put Food in Their Mouth
– Choking Hazard: An unconscious patient’s swallowing reflex does not function properly. If anything—candy, juice, sugar water—is put into their mouth in this state, it can go down the windpipe, block the airway, and cause choking. This can pose a more immediate and fatal risk than the hypoglycemia itself.
– Aspiration Pneumonia: If food enters the lungs through the airway, it can also cause a serious infection called ‘aspiration pneumonia.’
3. The Correct First-Aid Procedure
– Call 119 Immediately: If the patient is unconscious, the very first thing to do is to call emergency services immediately for help.
– Secure the Airway: Turn the patient on their side to help keep the airway clear and prevent them from choking on their tongue or vomit.
– Glucagon Injection: If a family member or bystander is trained in using a ‘glucagon injection kit,’ they can inject glucagon into the thigh or arm. Glucagon is a hormone that tells the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, raising blood sugar.
– Nothing in the Mouth: Never put anything into the patient’s mouth until paramedics arrive. While some suggest rubbing honey or syrup on the gums, this is not without risk of choking and is best avoided if you are not trained.
Summary: Putting food into the mouth of a person who is unconscious from hypoglycemia is an extremely dangerous act that can cause choking. The top priorities are to call for emergency help immediately and to secure the airway.
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