Signs That Need Emergency Care

Your brain runs on glucose, a sugar in your blood. When it runs low, the brain can slow fast, like a car out of gas.

Confusion, losing consciousness or a seizure during a low is an emergency. Never put food or drink in the mouth of someone who cannot swallow. Call 911 in the US, or your local emergency number.

DKA stands for diabetic ketoacidosis. In DKA, acids called ketones build up in the blood. Blood sugar is often high too. Vomiting and fruity breath can be signs.

DKA can turn critical within hours. Deep, fast breathing can mean it has moved further along, so get help early.

HHS stands for hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. It means very high blood sugar. The blood holds a lot of sugar, like thick syrup.

HHS builds over days. Extreme thirst, dry mouth, less urine and worse confusion are the signs to know.

Readings often go above 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L) with HHS. Confusion at that level needs 911 or the ER.

Key takeaways

• Confusion, loss of consciousness, a seizure or unsafe swallowing during a low needs 911 now.
• Vomiting, deep fast breathing or fruity breath can point to DKA, which can turn critical within hours.
• Dry mouth and worse confusion with very high blood sugar can point to HHS, which builds over days.

Try it

Today, save 911 and your local emergency number in your phone, so you can reach them fast.