Signs of Hypoglycaemia

Hypoglycaemia means that blood glucose has fallen too low for your body to function comfortably. Early warning signs often come from the body's stress response: a person may feel sweaty, shaky, hungry, restless, or irritable. As glucose falls further, the brain may be affected, causing blurred vision, headache, unusual behaviour, confusion, slurred speech, poor coordination, drowsiness, or a seizure. A person with Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes may be more familiar with these episodes, especially after diabetes medicine, delayed meals, extra physical activity, or alcohol. The symptoms can overlap with other problems, so a glucose check is useful when available.

If the person is awake and able to swallow, stop the activity, sit down, and take a quick source of sugar according to their diabetes plan. Recheck glucose if a meter or sensor is available, and have a follow-up snack or meal when advised so symptoms do not return. Do not give food or drink to someone who is unconscious, having a seizure, or unable to swallow. Place them on their side, stay with them, and use prescribed rescue medicine only if you have been shown how.

Call emergency services if the person is unconscious, has a seizure, cannot swallow safely, is severely confused, or does not improve promptly after the agreed treatment. Urgent assessment is also needed when episodes keep returning, happen without a clear reason, or follow a change in diabetes medicine. Do not let someone with confusion or poor coordination drive. Record the timing, symptoms, glucose reading if known, food, exercise, alcohol, and medicines to help a clinician identify the trigger.

Ask whether your symptoms fit hypoglycaemia, what glucose reading should prompt action, and which quick sugar source is suitable for you. Ask how to adjust meals, exercise, or prescribed treatment safely, whether you need a rescue medicine kit, and when recurring episodes need testing for another cause.