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LOW BLOOD GLUCOSE (SUGAR)
This is known as “HYPOGLYCAEMIA” or “Hypo” for short. A blood glucose LESS than 4.0 mmol/l is low.
What may cause this to happen?
· Missing or delaying a meal or snack
· Less carbohydrate, eg bread, potatoes, pasta, chapatti, rice, than usual prior to the hypo
· Unplanned activity (playing sport, gardening, housework, long walks, sexual activity).
· Too much insulin or diabetes tablets
· Too much alcohol
How will I feel?
Dizzy/shakey
Sweaty
Blurred vision
Tingling lips/fingers
Confused/unable to concentrate
Headache
Irritable
How will I appear to others?
Pale/clammy
Mood change
Unable to speak properly
Un-coordinated, as if drunk
What should I do?
When “Hypo” your body needs glucose/sugar.If you feel hypo, stop what you are doing immediately.
If you are able, check your blood sugar level. (You may sometimes feel hypo but are not).
To treat a hypo take ONE of the following:
· 3 glucose tablets (Dextro Energy/Lucozade)
· 3 teaspoons of sugar
· ˝ can of full sugar coke/lemonade (NOT Diet)
· 75mls (small glass) of Lucozade
This should raise your blood sugar level. If you do not feel better within 5 minutes repeat treatment.
If your meal is not due within the next 60 minutes, you will need some long-acting carbohydrate foods, such as: bread, biscuits, cereals, milk, fruit,crackers.
Tell your relatives/friends/colleagues that you have diabetes and how to recognise and treat hypo’s. They should know that if you are unconscious they should not give you anything to eat or drink, and call for an ambulance.
· Always carry glucose with you
· Always carry identification regarding your diabetes
If you know why the hypo occurred, then try to prevent this from happening again in the future.
If you are getting unexplained/frequent hypos, discuss this with your Health Care Team.
Tips on how to aviod hypo's
· Do not miss or delay meals or snacks
· Eat consistent quantities of carbohydrates (starchy food)
· Understand the action of your insulin or diabetes tablets.
· Increase in exercise may need an increase in carbohydrates
· A reduction in your insulin, or diabetic tablets, may be needed if hypo’s occur frequently
Alcohol and hypo's
Your judgement may be affected when you drink alcohol, therefore you may not be able to recognise that you are hypo.
Make sure your family/friends know about hypo’s and how to treat them.
Alcohol can increase your risk of hypos’ so:
· Do not drink on an empty stomach
· Eat starchy food when drinking
· Always have a bedtime starchy snack following drinking
· Do not binge drink
Driving and hypo's
If you cannot recognise when you are hypo:
· The D.V.L.A. state that you should not drive.
A hypo can affect your ability to drive safely
· Never drive for more than 2 hours without a break
· Check your blood sugar before and during a journey
· If you have lost or have poor warning symptoms or have frequent hypos you should probably not be driving because of the risk to yourself and other road users. You should discuss this with your health care team
If you feel hypo when driving:
· Stop safely
· Remove key from ignition
· Move from drivers seat and treat hypo
· Do not try to drive again until you have fully recovered from the hypo
Always ensure you keep a separate supply of glucose and biscuits in an accessible place in the car.
REMEMBER!!
If you have an accident in your car, whilst hypo, you may lose your licence and face criminal charges.
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