May (20.7 MB) - Senior Connector

Page 8Senior Connector www.seniorconnector.comMay 2012Would you know how to help a diabetic in crisis?A coworker of mine was recently at ameeting when she noticed a fellow attendee,who was looking weak and shaky, pullsome glucose tablets out of her purse andconsume them. Knowing that glucose tabletsare what diabetics use to treat a low bloodsugar and that the meeting still had anotherhour to go, my coworker got up and foundthis person a snack to tie her over until theend of the meeting in order to prevent thisperson from having a severe drop in herblood sugars. If you were in my coworker’splace, would you have known what to do tohelp this person?The above scenario has inspired me towrite this article as diabetes, if left untreatedor if improperly treated, can lead to veryserious, even life-threatening crises. Thesecomplications arise from either the bloodsugar levels in the body being too high(hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia).Due to the severe consequences of thesecomplications, in this article I would liketo review the signs and symptoms of thesemedical emergencies in orderto educate the general publicso that we are all better able toassist a diabetic if one shouldoccur. If you are a diabetic,please share this article withyour family and friends sothat they may be able to helpyou should you ever need it.It could save your or anotherdiabetics life.Low blood sugars canusually be treated if caughtearly enough. Skipping meals,sudden large increases in physical activity,or taking too much medication maycause them. The signs and symptoms ofhypoglycemia include shakiness, sweatiness,tingling of the mouth, confusion and lackof consciousness. If this occurs then it isimportant to treat this immediately with 15grams of a fast acting carbohydrate, suchas a tablespoon of honey, some glucosetablets, or ¾ cup of regular pop or juice. ItHealth MattersLaura Burgess, B.Sc. PharmCertified Diabetes Educatoris important that they theneat a snack that contains along-acting carbohydrate andprotein within 45 minutes toprevent another hypoglycemicevent. If the person is actingconfused or has started tolose consciousness, then anambulance should be calledimmediately.Pretend that you are in thegrocery store and you see aperson stumbling around andacting incoherent. They arecomplaining of feeling nauseous. As you getcloser to them, you realize that they smell“fruity”. You assume that:a) They are intoxicatedb) They are a diabetic and their blood sugaris too highc) They are a diabetic and their blood sugaris too lowIf you answered B, then you are on theright track. Diabetics who have uncontrolledhigh blood sugars often smell fruity dueto the production of ketones caused by thebreakdown of fats and protein for energyas the body is not able to utilize sugar dueto the lack of insulin. Unfortunately, thiscan often mean that they are mistakenas being intoxicated. That is why it isbest for diabetics to wear a medical alertbracelet stating that they are a diabetic. Leftuntreated, this can result in coma and deathand therefore requires immediate medicalattention. If you were to encounter a personthat fits the above description, the best wayyou can help them is to call an ambulanceright away so that they may have their bloodsugars properly evaluated and managed atthe hospital.With the incidences of diabetes being on therise in our population, at Manshadi Pharmacywe have taken a great interest in diabetes careand would be happy to answer any questionsthat you may have regarding the diagnosis,treatment, and management of diabetes and itsrelated complications.Letter to the editorNews from Cariboo ManorTravel WarningDear EditorI purchased a senior bus ticket to Vancouver Island last February from theGreyhound bus station. I deliberately bought it early to get the discount and atthat time they also charged me for the ferry. I went back to talk to the agent asI only wanted to get to the ferry and she told me that I would have to get mymoney back from the ferry agents. When I spoke to the ferry agent, I was toldthey had nothing to do with it, because the buses don’t get on the ferry anymore.I was traveling on Wednesday and the ferry is free for BC Seniors on Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday. I also specifically asked for a ticket to just the ferry, asfamily were picking me up at the ferry terminal. The bus agent told me they don’tsell tickets just to the ferry dock.Another passenger I spoke to told me that you need to buy a ticket to Vancouverand then the Bus agent in Vancouver will sell you a ticket to the ferry dock, butnot one of these agents told me this!Since February 8, 2012, I have been phoning all kinds of different numbersthat have been given me by the agents and I’ve lost track of the phone calls I havemade. At one time I even got a claim number, but still no refund.Not one of them is claiming responsibility; they just continue to give me therun around. I am writing this to warn other travelers who may run into the samesituation. ,Have I right to be upset, YES! Good luck to all of you in your travels, especiallyif you are traveling to Vancouver Island!Bernice Dyck, Kamloops■■■■Derek V. SmolukNoTARy CoRPoRATioNNotary PublicWills & Power of AttorneyRepresentation AgreementsHealth Care DirectivesReal Estate Transactions/Mortgages250-374-2727 ■ www.kamloopsnotary.caSubmitted Janet SchneiderAs my article was submittedlate last month, here’s aquick recap. John moved into the Manor last month,providing much neededmanly companionship andsupport to Andre. Aprilaccompanied a couple ofour residents to the CowboyFestival, which they allenjoyed immensely. The OldTime Fiddlers dropped in toentertain us in early March.Always ready for some toetappingmusic, our residentshappily sang along to manyof their old favourites. Wealways look forward to theirvisits. Eva and Cathy, bornon the same day, celebratedtheir birthdays in March.A carpet layer had just finishedinstalling carpet for a lady. Hestepped out for a smoke, only torealize he’d lost his cigarettes.In the middle of the room, underthe carpet, was a bump.‘’No sense pulling up the entirefloor for one pack of smokes,’’ he saidto himself. He proceeded to get outMissagh ManshadiB.Sc. PharmPharmacist/OwnerPhil dropped in the next dayfor a little St. Patrick’s Dayparty filled I’m sure, withshenanigans and tomfoolery.Everything we so enjoy.One of our former residentspassed away in March.Our condolences to Gwen’sfamily. Her time at CaribooManor is rememberedfondly. She entertained uswith her music, organizedprojects for the residents toparticipate in and enjoyedher nightly crib games withGrace, and later Jack. She ismissed.Dan arrived at the Manorin April; we now have threemen in residence! Afterenjoying Easter with herfamily at their cabin, Gracewent into hospice, but wehis hammer and flattened thehump.As he was cleaning up,the lady came in. ‘’Here,’’she said, handling him hispack of cigarettes. ‘’I foundthem in the hallway.’’‘’Now,’’ she said, ‘’if only Icould find my parakeet.’’MANSHADI PHARMACYPrescriptions • Medication Compounding •Medical Supplies • Diabetes SpecialistComing Soon - Second locationat 376 Tranquill Rd to serve you better.* Free Prescription Delivery in Kamloops *Free Daily A1C Blood Glucose Lab Result ($20 value)Trusted Advice, Wholesome Care477 St. Paul Street, Kamloops • 250-372-2223are hopeful she will get backhome soon.One of our housekeepersjust returned from a monthlongholiday in Mexico.We’re happy to have Lindsayhome, especially as Margarethas also been away,strictly following her doctor’sinstructions. Bonnie,Marguerite and Connie havebeen doing an admirable jobcovering all the extra shifts.Doris had a couple of weeksoff and Betty stepped into carry on for her. We aregrateful to our staff for theirbig hearts and the enormousamount of caring they bringto their jobs. Thank you allso much.Laura BurgessB.Sc. PharmPharmacistCertified Diabetes Educator