How is hypoglycaemia treated?

Low blood sugar can cause sweating, shaking, hunger, irritability, dizziness, nausea or blurred vision. It is particularly relevant for people using insulin or certain diabetes medicines, but a clinician should assess repeated episodes or episodes without an obvious cause.

If you can safely swallow, use a measured fast-acting carbohydrate source such as glucose tablets or a sugary drink, then recheck how you feel according to your personal diabetes plan. Once recovered, eat a snack or meal containing longer-lasting carbohydrate if your next meal is not soon.

Do not drive, exercise alone or operate machinery while symptoms are present. Keep a treatment source with you and tell family or colleagues what to do. Record the timing, food, activity, alcohol and medicines around each episode.

A clinician may adjust insulin or other diabetes medicine, meal timing or activity advice. A [Diabetes Education Programme](/treatments/lifestyle-and-wellness/diabetes-education-programme/) can help with recognising patterns and planning safely. People with [Type 1 Diabetes](/conditions/type-1-diabetes/) or [Type 2 Diabetes](/conditions/type-2-diabetes/) may need different prevention advice.

Call emergency services if someone is confused, having a seizure, unconscious or unable to swallow. Do not put food or drink in an unconscious person’s mouth. Seek prompt medical advice when episodes are repeated, severe, occur during sleep or do not improve with your agreed treatment.

What should I use for an episode, and how much? Should my medicine or meal plan change? Could exercise, alcohol or kidney problems be contributing? Should someone close to me learn emergency treatment?