Question

My friend’s father has been a diabetic for several years. His blood sugar levels are usually around 8-9. Three weeks ago (January 17, 2010), he suffered a left frontal bone base fracture due to a brain trauma and was sent to the Rongcheng County People’s Hospital in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. After admission, no surgery was performed, and the doctor said conservative treatment would be administered. The family informed the doctor of the patient’s diabetes, but found that the doctor was administering 5% glucose injections (ranging from 500 to 750 mL) every day. After one week of treatment (on the 25th), the patient’s condition improved, he could talk and eat normally, and he could get out of bed with assistance from family members. The brain CT showed no major issues, and the doctor said he could be discharged in two days to spend the New Year at home.

Answer

Diabetics experience elevated blood sugar levels during stress, and when administering glucose injections, insulin is needed for counteraction.