I had to re-evaluate my med bag tonight!

[IndyGunworks]

Just a few tips. the glucose gel is by far the best solution, but if they cannot chew a tablet then they cannot have jel either. They MUST be able to talk and follow basic commands before you put ANYTHING in their mouth.

Also, the gel is NOT meant to be swallowed. its meant to be absorbed between the cheek and the gum and it does work rather quickly. ALOT quicker than anything ingested. They are also small and light and have a pretty long shelf life.

 

[1946]

Honey is my go to choice when the sugar gets low. I've been in the 40's before (not good) and was still able to ingest honey. I keep some honey straws in my vehicles. You don't have to worry about heat or cold with honey. It doesn't spoil and I've never had honey freeze up in the vehicle either.
I'll squeeze one or two straws into the mouth and in about 10 to 12 minutes I'm good to go.

 

[bwframe]

Packets of honey from your fast food restaurant of choice. Honey does not spoil, is quite viscous and my understanding is it will be absorbed when squirted under the tongue.

Assuming the honey sticks I keep in my truck bag anyway would work?
What about peach flavored?

What about agave nectar sticks?

 

[MedicMonty]

If someone is in enough distress that they can't absorb a paste under the tongue, then you definitely shouldn't mess around near the vagal nerve and drop their heartrate...just saying.

Exactly how far up the rectum do you expect someone to put that glucose? Seeing as how the vagus nerve is a cranial nerve whose lowest insertion is around the diaphragm, you'd have to be pretty overzealous (ie shoulder-deep) to stimulate it with a small tube like the business end of a tube of glucose. I haven't had occasion to need to go that route, but mucous membranes are mucous membranes and I wouldn't hesitate if there was a need.

The suggestion about glucagon isn't a bad idea and it does work very well, just keep in mind that you're spending $175+ and the longest shelf life you can expect is probably around 12 months, 18 at the most. That'll get expensive quick whether you use it or not.

The comments about prevention and early awareness are spot on.

 

[Double T]

Exactly how far up the rectum do you expect someone to put that glucose? Seeing as how the vagus nerve is a cranial nerve whose lowest insertion is around the diaphragm, you'd have to be pretty overzealous (ie shoulder-deep) to stimulate it with a small tube like the business end of a tube of glucose. I haven't had occasion to need to go that route, but mucous membranes are mucous membranes and I wouldn't hesitate if there was a need.

Better check again. The vagus nerve has nerve endings all the way in the rectum, and the parasympathetic response is decreased heart rate. Which is why so many elderly die on the crapper...they get constipated and their heart stops. I've seen it quite a bit sadly :-(

 

[Clay]

Ask his doc for a glucagon injection script as well.

this is an interesting thought!

My parents are both Vets, so they can probably get it and probably a bit cheaper than through a pharmacy. Ill ask him what he thinks about getting one to keep in the bag Im making for him.

 

[Clay]

Packets of honey from your fast food restaurant of choice. Honey does not spoil, is quite viscous and my understanding is it will be absorbed when squirted under the tongue.

you have to be careful that you are getting actual honey though. Some places (ie mcdonalds) have "honey sauce" which is only partially honey, and probably just enough for taste. I only say this because Im not sure if the 'honey sauce' will have the same shelf life. Im sure when its good it would work just as well.

I think the honey sticks are probably the way to go here. Ill probably pick some up at the state fair next month

 

[rmabrey]

If someone is in enough distress that they can't absorb a paste under the tongue, then you definitely shouldn't mess around near the vagal nerve and drop their heartrate...just saying.

Likely I guess, but a satellite landing on my head is still possible as well. I know that is an extreme comparison but if this were true porn stars and gay men all over the world would be dropping dead daily.

Better check again. The vagus nerve has nerve endings all the way in the rectum, and the parasympathetic response is decreased heart rate. Which is why so many elderly die on the crapper...they get constipated and their heart stops. I've seen it quite a bit sadly :-(

They aren't dying because the rectal nerve endings are stimulated. It is the increased abdominal pressure from bearing down that causes then to Vagal out down to nothing.

this is an interesting thought!

My parents are both Vets, so they can probably get it and probably a bit cheaper than through a pharmacy. Ill ask him what he thinks about getting one to keep in the bag Im making for him.

Another thought to keep in mind that Glucagon works by converting Glycogen stores in the liver to glucose. If you dont have Glycogen stores it wont work. Should only be an issue if you give it more than once over a couple days