Although the Baltimore Ravens narrowly missed this 12 months’s Super Bowl, tight finish Mark Andrews discovered himself acknowledged as an MVP anyway this week, with a twist: Most worthy passenger.
On a Southwest flight from Baltimore to Phoenix on Thursday, a lady required help for a medical emergency. Her pulse was reportedly weak and blood stress low, and he or she required oxygen to breathe. A social media consumer chronicled the occasion and the fast pondering of Andrews, a sort 1 diabetic since age 9.
A girl on my @southwest flight from Baltimore to Phoenix this morning had a mid-flight medical emergency. The physician and nurse attending to her couldn’t discover a robust pulse, her blood stress was extraordinarily low, and required oxygen to breathe. It was genuinely scary. (1/3)
— Andrew Springs (@NaturalSprings) February 1, 2024
Fast to acknowledge the signs of a blood glucose emergency, Andrews requested medical professionals tending to the lady if his blood glucose testing equipment may very well be of assist. She was given orange juice, presumably to raise a low blood glucose degree, and was in a position to stroll off the flight, ESPN reported.
In an announcement launched by the Ravens, Andrews praised the nurse, physician, and flight attendants who sprang to motion to assist the ailling passenger, calling them “the real heroes.”
Assertion from TE @Mandrews_81. pic.twitter.com/fkWsUzIUBB
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 1, 2024
Andrews has been featured by the UMass Chan Medical School Diabetes Center of Excellence as a sort 1 diabetes success story. The 6-foot-5, 256-pound athlete checks his blood glucose about 30 instances every sport to maintain useful, and makes use of an insulin pump and steady glucose monitor to handle his situation off the sector. The expertise he makes use of shares his ranges with members of the family, his agent, and his crew’s head coach.
What’s hypoglycemia?
A blood glucose emergency can occur if an individual’s ranges are too excessive or too low. Hypoglycemia happens when blood glucose ranges are too low. It’s usually a short-term complication of diabetes that usually happens on account of using insulin, a hormone that lowers blood glucose ranges, or prescription drugs that accomplish the identical process in several methods. In uncommon circumstances, nonetheless, individuals who aren’t diabetic can turn into hypoglycemic.
Hypoglycemia sometimes happens when blood glucose ranges are 70 mg/dL or decrease, however every particular person is totally different.
Signs can embody:
- trying pale
- shaking
- sweating
- headache
- nausea
- irregular heartbeat
- fatigue
- problem concentrating
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- irritability or anxiousness
- tingling or numbness of the lips, tongue, or cheek
Sadly, some diabetics—particularly those that’ve had the situation for a very long time—endure from hypoglycemia unawareness. Meaning they don’t expertise signs till a low is extreme and doubtlessly life-threatening. In such circumstances, seizures and/or coma will be the first signal of a low.
To deal with a low blood glucose between 70 mg/dL and 55 mg/dL, most medical professionals suggest utilizing the 15-15 rule: Eat 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates like juice, sugar soda (not weight loss plan), and/or glucose tablets, gels, or liquids, then check once more in quarter-hour. The method ought to be repeated till one’s blood glucose is once more of their goal vary, which is usually 80 mg/dL to 120 mg/dL. (Kids might require fewer grams of carbohydrates to rebound, and goal ranges could also be greater for kids and/or the aged.)
Precisely what sort of rapid-acting carbohydrate used shouldn’t matter a lot. Nonetheless, make sure you keep away from treating with meals with a lot of fiber or fats, as they’ll gradual the physique’s absorption of glucose.
Some medical professionals suggest following a low with a small serving of long-acting carbohydrates and/or protein to stop a rebound low. Test with yours to find out the perfect plan of motion for you. Subsequent lows usually tend to happen within the 48 to 72 hours after an preliminary low.
What ought to I do in case of extreme hypoglycemia?
If a extreme low happens—round 54 mg/dL or decrease, although sufferers’ sensitivities fluctuate—the next signs might happen:
- slurred speech
- lack of coordination
- confusion
- seizures
- coma
- death
Individuals with diabetes might carry a equipment of glucagon, a hormone the pancreas makes to lift blood glucose ranges when wanted. The glucagon will have to be injected intramuscularly or administered intranasally. Every equipment comprises easy directions. Fortunately, many glucagon kits as of late perform like an EpiPen and are straightforward to manage. Be aware that an individual who turns into unconscious shouldn’t be given meals or drink, as they might choke.
Your medical supplier may have suggestions as to when to name 911, if in any respect. They might suggest that you simply or a assist particular person does so if you happen to don’t reply to glucagon inside quarter-hour, if you happen to don’t reply to a second dose, or if glucagon is used in any respect.
It’s vital to know that an individual who receives glucagon ought to be turned on their facet. They might vomit, and this place will scale back the chance of choking.
What’s hyperglycemia?
Hyperglycemia happens when blood glucose ranges are too excessive and might be attributable to meals consumption, sickness, stress, and medicines unrelated to diabetes like hormonal contraception. It happens when blood glucose ranges are above 180 mg/dL two or extra hours after consuming.
Signs sometimes develop slowly however can turn into severe if left untreated. They embody:
- frequent urination
- elevated thirst
- blurred imaginative and prescient
- dry mouth
- fatigue
Very excessive blood glucose ranges, amongst different triggers, could cause a buildup of poisonous acids known as ketones, which might result in a life-threatening complication known as diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. DKA can progress shortly, inside 24 hours or much less. Should you expertise the next signs, you must seek the advice of a medical supplier instantly:
- fruity-smelling breath
- belly ache
- nausea and vomiting
- shortness of breath
- confusion
- lack of consciousness
Whereas not as widespread, it’s vital to notice that one can expertise DKA even when their blood glucose ranges aren’t elevated.
Diabetics will wish to seek the advice of their medical supplier on learn how to deal with hyperglycemia. Your physician might suggest using insulin, pharmaceuticals, hydration, and/or train. (Train is just not beneficial if somebody has ketones, as it should trigger the situation to worsen.)
Diabetics also needs to seek the advice of with their medical suppliers to create a “sick day” plan to make use of when blood glucose ranges are elevated on account of sickness, and when liquids might doubtlessly be robust to maintain down.
By understanding and understanding what excessive and low blood glucose ranges appear and feel like, even if you happen to aren’t diabetic, you might be able to save a life, like Andrews.
In an announcement to Fortune, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation applauded the soccer participant for his “quick thinking and willingness to help” one other passenger.“In times of need, actions like Mark’s serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of awareness and preparedness,” a spokesperson stated. “We commend his steadfast commitment to making a positive impact on and off the field.”
