DIABETES
What should I do if my blood sugar is too low (hypoglycaemia)?
If you feel any of the following, your blood glucose may be too low:4
- Sweating
- Warmth
- Anxiety
- Muscle tremors
- Nausea
- Change in the way your heart beats
- Hunger
- Poor concentration
- Drowsiness / dizziness
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Visual disturbances
- Speech abnormalities
- Headache
Always check your blood glucose with your self-monitoring machine before starting to determine how low your levels are.
You need to take in 15 – 20 g of glucose as soon as possible. This could be in the form of 3-4 teaspoons of sugar dissolved with a little water, ¾ cup or ½ a can (175 ml) of fruit juice or soft-drink (not diet drinks), 2-3 sweets e.g. Super-C, 1-1½ tablespoons (15 to 20 ml) of honey.
If necessary, this step should be repeated within 10-15 minutes.
Thereafter, eat some slowly digestible carbohydrates (e.g. bread) and protein (e.g. milk) to bring the blood glucose back up for longer.4
What should I do if my blood sugar is too high (hyperglycaemia)?
Your blood glucose levels may be elevated when you are ill with an infection, are dehydrated or after you have heart issues like a heart attack.4
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider as soon as possible or go to your nearest hospital if you feel serious symptoms, as you may need to change medication, or intensify (increase your dose) of your medication.
What is ketoacidosis?
Ketones are dangerous acids which the body produces when there is not enough insulin, and the body breaks down fat for fuel. The body will try to get rid of the ketones by excreting them in the urine. Another way to excrete ketones is in the form of acetone via exhalation through the lungs, causing a either a fruity odour, or a smell like mail polish remover, on the breath.3,9
Ketones are often formed during periods of fasting, when you exercise or during pregnancy.4 It can also occur when you take your ordinary doses of insulin, but your body needs more, for example when you have an infection and are ill, especially if you have a fever.4,8
People with type 1 should always test their urine for ketones if they feel their blood glucose is too high or if they are ill.8 These are some of the symptoms of ketoacidosis:9
- Nausea, vomiting
- Urinating often
- Tiredness (sleepy or confused) and weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Heavy breathing
- Blurred vision
Ketoacidosis is an extremely serious condition which can lead serious or fatal complications and requires urgent medical attention.
Ketoacidosis can only be treated in hospital by a healthcare professional as you need intravenous treatment (through a drip in your vein) and close monitoring.8
