Hypoglycaemia

What is hypoglycaemia?

Hypoglycaemia (a "hypo") is when your blood sugar levels are too low. Hypos can happen when you are treated with insulin or with some diabetes tablets. Hypos can happen very quickly and may be caused by:

More exercise than usual
Too little food
Missed or late meals
Too much insulin/tablets
Alcohol
Hot weather or
No obvious reason

What will I feel?

Hypo warning signs vary from person to person.

You may feel

Shaky/dizzy
Confused
Anxious
Hungry
Tingling lips or finger tips
Tired
Sweaty

You may have

A headache
Blurred vision

Others may notice that you are

Pale with glazed eyes
Unable to speak properly
Uncoordinated
Showing mood changes

What must I remember?

Always carry some form of sugar with you (and in your care)
Always carry/wear some form of diabetes identification
Tell your friends, relatives and colleagues you have diabetes and how to help with a hypo
If you have a hypo while driving
1. Stop the car
2. Remove the keys from the ignition
3. Move from the driver's seat until you have treated your hypo and feel better (this makes it quite clear you are not in charge of the car)
Think about causes for your hypo - check your blood sugar levels
If you have a hypo at the same time every day then your medication may need adjusting. Contact your diabetes clinic.
Wear an identity bracelet or necklace in case you become disorientated where people do not know you.

What should I do?

Mild hypos

Moderate hypos

Severe hypos

Stop what you are doing and act quickly.

Take some quickly absorbed sugar such as

1 small glass of Lucozade
4 glucose tablets or soft sweets
2 teaspoons sugar, honey or jam

These will raise your blood sugar within a few minutes and you will begin to feel better. Repeat the sugar if no improvement in 5-10 minutes. To prevent your blood sugar falling again, follow the sugary food with a snack: biscuit, sandwich, fruit, glass of milk, your next meal if it is due.

You may need help to treat a hypo if your blood sugar has dropped very quickly - perhaps you missed some warning signs or did not take sugar quickly enough.

A friend, relative or colleague can give you Hypostop (a thick, glucose gel), honey or treacle that can be squirted into the side of your mouth. It does not have to be swallowed to work and can raise your blood sugar. Once you can swallow, it is important that you eat a snack.

Very low blood sugar may cause you to become unconscious. This will not cause any permanent damage but will mean you will need help to raise your blood sugar.

You must not be given anything by mouth if unconscious.
If possible you should be put in the recovery position.
Your diabetes nurse can show a friend or relative how to give you a Glucagon injection.

What is Glucagon?

Glucagon is a hormone also produced in your pancreas that raises your blood sugar by releasing stored glucose from your liver. Glucagon can be obtained free on prescription. Glucagon may take about 15 minutes to have an effect.

Glucagon only raises your blood sugar for a short time - you must eat something as soon as you are able to swallow.

If Glucagon does not help CALL THE DOCTOR or CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DIAL 999