Sunday May 13 in Glos-la-Ferrière (Orne), a 5-year-old boy saved the life of his father who was in a diabetic coma, by calling for help.
Sunday May 13 in Glos-la-Ferrière (Orne), a 5-year-old boy saved his father’s life. With no response to his calls, the child decided to go see what his father was doing and found him lying in his bed, his eyes closed and “bubbles” with his mouth. The little boy had the reflex to dial 17 without being able to indicate his address. “The child spoke in a very calm, very calm manner, but was still a small child of 5 years old so he was not able to tell us his precise place of residence”, explained to France Bleu Normandie the head of the gendarmerie, Colonel Pierre Baillargeat.
The emergency services then asked the little one to wait for them in front of the house and to make large gestures when he saw the flashing lights. The call was finally geolocated and the firefighters arrived on site after about forty minutes. “We felt that there was really tension, and that he was very sensitive to what was happening with his daddy”, but “he was extremely rigorous in his attitude”, explained Pierre Baillargeat. The father of the little boy was rushed to Aigle hospital on time, because without medical intervention, a diabetic coma can be fatal.
But what exactly is a diabetic coma?
Whether it is called “pump stroke” or like sportsmen, “craving”, it is quite simply a well-known medical phenomenon: hypoglycemia, that is to say too much sugar. weak in blood. Almost everyone has suffered, or will suffer in their lifetime, from hypoglycemia. Fortunately, not in its major form, because it is an extremely unpleasant sensation and what is more, sometimes dangerous since it can lead to a coma. This is undoubtedly what happened to the young hero’s daddy.
Our brain is a very large consumer of energy, and therefore of sugar. Which is easy when you know the enormity of the tasks that it must manage to make our body function. What is more, the body considers it, rightly, as a priority … Also, as soon as it feels that the fuel is going to run out dangerously, it will be the first to express its dissatisfaction. Rather violently, that is to say by secreting hormones, not particularly cool, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are stress hormones. They are responsible for preparing the body for danger.
In the case of the coup de barre, or hypoglycemia, the same process occurs: these hormones prepare the brain for the worst. If nothing is done, the cascade of reactions is impressive: it is first of all the mood which manifests itself in a feeling of unexplained anger and a brutally inappropriate behavior. The “haze” begins to invade the brain: we feel incapable of thinking, reasoning or concentrating on a simple thing. The reaction functions begin to deteriorate: speech becomes difficult, walking impossible. At this stage, we must urgently sit down and act if we are able, that is to say, eat sugar.
The hypoglycemic looks like someone who has been sent down to the wild animal cage, which is not necessarily a bad comparison, since these hormones are those which prepare the body for danger: sweat, tremors, dizziness, pallor, are there to show the state of discomfort. It is in the event of non-reaction (fortunately, the feeling of hunger is there to guide the diagnosis a bit) that the rest of the story can become dramatic. Profound hypoglycemia can become complicated and lead to fainting, followed by epileptic seizures and coma.
What to do in case of hypoglycemia?
Diabetics, who are familiar with this sensation, always carry a piece of sugar with them. It can be a good solution for those who are going to discover the joys of physical exercise, while eating a little less. I would add the relief piece of bread, when you know that the session will be longer than an hour.
If the pump stroke occurs outside of the context of physical activity, and if it is in the home setting, it is smart to plan the antidote. Surimi sticks even seem to have been invented for this. Those who don’t like the taste of fish may have slices of turkey or chicken fillet on hand, which are easy to eat and not much fatter than fish.
At worst, if we waited too long, there remains the magical piece of sugar. Avoid, as is often advised, the handful of dried fruits or nuts; or even a whole series of biscuits, drinks, anti “pump stroke” pasta. Once the unpleasant sensation is over, you should quickly eat one of the foods mentioned above.
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