I am posting this topic here because it always happens at the hospital. When ever someone is sick and he or she goes to the hospital to complain,after examination and the doctor or nurse prescribe injection or drug to be taken by the patient, they ask if the patient has eaten. If the patient said no, they would then ask he or she to take coca cola to enable him take the prescribe treatement. Why coca cola? I remember sometime in 2001, i was asked to take coke,but i said no,i would prefer 7up or fanta,but the nurse said,only coca cola can serve the purpose. Again, Why coke? Is there any benefit in coca cola ahead of other drinks or are the health worker just giving coke free advert? To the house,share your experience and let the health workers educate us.

There is no specific reason for coke.

Being sick puts you at risk for hypoglycemia and If you haven't eaten, you risk is even greater.

It doesn't matter what you drink. As long as it has glucose in it. Orange juice, fanta, coke, tea. E no matter.

Whoever insisted on coke is either a quack or has no idea about what he/she is practicing.

Lots of quacks out there my brother.

Hum, thanks for the info

because coke is household name for soft drink. any health workers insisted in coke is a robot. any glucose containing drink would do.

Lol

I insist on coke because the amount of sugar inside is known, well according to the manufacturer it is 8 cubes. No news about the others.

At least you know what you are advicing your patient to take.

But without patient's history known, is it right to recommend coke? It was this negligence that killed my friend elevern years ago. The doctors administered a glucose drip to someone who was borderline diabetic. She slumped into a coma and never woke up. A simple blood sugar test would have made a huge difference. Which energy giving foods/drinks should the patient take inplace of soft drinks?

dominique: But without patient's history known, is it right to recommend coke? It was this negligence that killed my friend elevern years ago. The doctors administered a glucose drip to someone who was borderline diabetic. She slumped into a coma and never woke up. A simple blood sugar test would have made a huge difference. Which energy giving foods/drinks should the patient take inplace of soft drinks?

First of all, the complications of hyperglycemia take a while to develop, so most clinicians are more aggressive in the treatment of low blood sugar compared to high blood sugar. So it is valid to give a sugary drink without checking the blood sugar. If the patient feels better, they most likely had hypoglycemia.

In known diabetics however, you should always check their sugars.

If you suspect hypoglycemia, you can give anything that will be easy to swallow and quickly absorbed by the body. And the options are any liquid that contains simple sugars like fructose, glucose etc. The best options I can think of will be fruit juices - Caprisun, Five alive etc.

However, it is easier to get a bottle of coke/fanta/sprite in Nigeria. So, it looks like that is our best option.

Thanks for the explination. Still I feel doctors shouldn't hastily recmmend such sugary stuff if patient history is not known.

Why don't they recommend 7up,pepsi etc. Their obsession with coca cola is something else.

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