Hypoglycaemia

This occurs when your blood sugar levels are to low. It is more prevalent in insulin dependant diabetics or those taking sulphonylurea drugs.

Symptoms.

These include sweating, shaking, anxiety, blurred vision, tingling of the lips, paleness, mood change, vagueness or confusion.

Causes can be:-

Too much insulin or sulphonylureas.
Insufficient food to counteract medication taken.
A delayed meal after medication.
Exercise.

Treatment

is to eat some fast acting carbohydrate so as to bring your blood glucose levels up.

Diabetics who are at risk of hypoglycaemia should always carry some form of this with them, especially when exercising.

Most convenient are glucose tablets but liquids such as fruit juice or skimmed milk act faster. This should then be followed by a meal.

For those subject to severe bouts of hypoglycaemia it is possible to buy a glucagon injection (glucagon is a hormone which has the opposite effect to insulin) for use in emergencies.