give you something sweet (such as three to five pieces of hard candy, two or three packets of sugar, or half a cup of fruit juice) if you’re still conscious but too confused or disoriented to help yourself. If you don’t respond within 15 minutes, they should give you more sugar and take you to the hospital.
If you pass out from hypoglycemia, it’s too late for candy. Somebody will have to give you a shot of glucagon, a hormone that will quickly raise your blood sugar. You should always have a syringe of glucagon nearby, and make sure the people around you know how to find it and how to use it.
Prevent trouble: Take your insulin or other medications as prescribed by your doctor, stick to your meal plan — even if you don’t feel like eating — and drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all. If you exercise regularly — an excellent idea for anyone with diabetes — ask your doctor or exercise physiologist if you need to change your medications or diet to support your active body.
Foot sores
A cut, blister, or open sore on a foot may not seem like an emergency to most people. But if your diabetes has slowed circulation to your feet or caused nerve damage, a seemingly trivial injury can turn serious very quickly. If not treated promptly, a small sore can become infected, and in some cases, the foot may have to be amputated.
Prepare yourself: Ask your doctor if you’re at risk for foot problems. If you are, learn how to inspect your feet every day for blisters, cuts, scrapes, and sores. Call your doctor promptly if you spot a red or inflamed sore.
Prevent trouble: You can protect your feet by wearing good-fitting shoes and clean socks at all times. Going barefoot — even indoors — is asking for trouble. Wash your feet every day, and carefully trim your toenails once a week. If you have a condition that would cause you to worry about injuring your toes clipping your toenails, ask your podiatrist to do the job. Most of all, try to keep your diabetes under control. If you can keep your blood sugar close to normal, your feet probably won’t suffer from nerve damage or poor circulation, and a small injury isn’t likely to become a big problem.