sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Prediabetes: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Get emergency help for severe vomiting, abdominal pain, deep or rapid breathing, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or an inability to keep fluids down.

    These can occur with a serious high-glucose emergency or another acute illness and should not be attributed to prediabetes.

    Chest pressure, severe shortness of breath, one-sided weakness, facial drooping, or sudden trouble speaking also requires emergency help.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical assessment if you develop persistent thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, repeated infections, unexplained weight loss, or worsening fatigue.

    These symptoms may indicate that blood glucose has entered the diabetes range.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if a blood test suggests prediabetes, if you have several risk factors, or if you are unsure when you should be tested again.

    This is not usually urgent.

The article also says

Prediabetes itself is not normally an emergency.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Prediabetes. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.