What should you know about hypoglycaemia treatment?

Hypoglycaemia is low blood sugar. It may cause dizziness, excessive sweating, generalised weakness, irritability, nausea, trembling, blurred vision, or confusion. Treatment raises glucose quickly enough to protect the brain, then provides longer-lasting food when needed. The right plan depends on the diabetes medicine being used, meal pattern, activity, and whether episodes happen during sleep. Treatment for someone using insulin may differ from treatment for someone taking another diabetes medicine.

If the person is alert and can swallow, give the fast-acting sugar specified in their personal plan and check again according to that plan. If symptoms return or the reading remains low, repeat the agreed step and seek medical advice. Eat a sustaining snack or meal when appropriate. Do not give anything by mouth to a person who is unconscious, fitting, or unable to swallow. Use prescribed rescue medicine if trained to do so, and keep the person on their side while help is coming.

Get emergency help for unconsciousness, a seizure, severe confusion, inability to swallow, or failure to recover after rescue treatment. Contact the diabetes team after repeated episodes, unexplained lows, or changes in eating, exercise, kidney health, or medicines. Do not drive while symptoms or confusion continue.

Ask which fast-acting sugar and rescue medicine suit you, how relatives should help, and how your plan changes with illness, exercise, fasting, or alcohol. Ask when a medication review is needed.