Diabetic Emergencies
Hypoglycaemia - Very Low Blood Sugar
Too much insulin or diabetes tablets can cause the blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels. This is called hypoglycaemia and can happen any time, especially when there is a change of medication or insulin dose.
Most people can tell when their blood sugar level is low. Some common symptoms are:
- Cold sweat
- Trembling hands
- Hunger
- Tiredness
- Feeling like vomiting
- Fast heart beat
- Mood changes or confusion
Hypoglycaemia is more likely to occur when you:
- Increase physical activity
- Eat less than the prescribed food portions
- Take too much insulin
- Miss or delay your meals
- Drink too much alcohol on an empty stomach
Treating Hypoglycaemia
The most important thing is to get some glucose into your bloodstream right away.
Eating sweet carbohydrate snacks or glucose water is the easiest way.
Do not take drinks or artificial sweeteners as they are useless when you develop hypoglycaemia.
Discuss the symptoms of hypoglycaemia with your family and friends and teach them how to help you.
It's a good idea to keep snacks available in your handbag, car and at work, just in case you should need them to treat sudden hypoglycaemia.
Hyperglycaemia - Very High Blood Sugar
With diabetes, you have a tendency to have high blood glucose levels, even when you are taking your tablets or insulin. Sometimes, the level can climb too high, often without warning.
Some common causes of hyperglycaemia are:
- Forgetting to take insulin
- Forgetting to take the diabetes tablets
- Falling ill
- Being under excessive stress
- Not exercising as usual
Possible symptoms you will notice include:
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Unusual tiredness
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Increased skin infections
- Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
- Deep rapid breathing
- Mental confusion and drowsiness
If the high blood glucose is not controlled, you may go into a coma, which can be life threatening. Contact your doctor early if you have any of the above symptoms.
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