From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-02-28 19:12:30 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: Insulinoma
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4093033.1109617950448.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Author wrote:
> Do NOT wait until the seizure ends to give sugar. The whole idea of giving sugar is to raise their blood sugar to bring them out of a hypoglycemic episode.
Yes, this is one of the rare situations when it becomes "dysphagia (bad swallowing) and aspiration pneumonia risks be hanged" because the sugar is what ends the convulsion. Even if passed out it is possible get some sugars into the body just from the mouth without swallowing. (Been there with one who had carcinoma in her pancreas.)
The convulsions are happening because her brain is not getting enough glucose. If you remove an essential for brain function including enough fuel supply (sugar) you can get the misfiring of a seizure, so you see why bringing up her blood sugar works.
When the immediate risk is so much greater a person sometimes has to take other risks. (On the other hand, there are usually better options than syringe feeding for ones who are resisting food and in that situation forced feeding should be avoided unless the risk is so high that aspiratation pneumonia is not a strong hazard in comparison.)
So, for convulsions DO get that sugar in!