Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level) is one of the most common complications associated with diabetes. The majority of diabetic patients taking insulin injections or certain tablets may experience hypoglycaemia quite often.

Acute hypoglycaemia may involve shock and coma and it is a medical emergency needing hospitalization.

Common Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia:

• Hunger
• Nausea
• Headache
• Light Headedness
• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Palpitation
• Tremors
• Dizziness
• Blurred Vision

Symptoms of Acute Hypoglycaemia:

• Mental Confusion
• Disorientation
• Unconsciousness
• Coma

If you have experienced hypoglycaemia before, you can easily recognizee the symptoms.

What are the causes of Hypoglycaemia?

• Overdosage of insulin
• Overdosage of anti-diabetic tablets
• Skipped or delayed meal
• Excessive alcohol consumption with inadequate carbohydrate intake
• Excessive physical exertion
• Sickness or psychological stress

The concept of team approach involving you, the doctor, and your family will help in the management of diabetes and associated hypoglycaeemia.

What to do if signs of hypoglycaemia appear?

Take 2-3 teaspoonfuls of glucose or sugar immediately, followed by a small meal eg. a fruit or sandwich.

How to prevent hypoglycaemia?

• Strictly follow the dose of insulin or anti-diabetic tablets as per your doctor's advice. Your doctor may adjust the dose if hypoglycaemia occurs frequently.
• Do not skip or delay meals.
• Avoid long time intervals between any two meals. Instead of 3 big meals in a day, take six small meals, which may include tea / coffee / snacks, etc.
• Avoid excessive physical activity.

What is Hypoglycaemia Unawareness?

Usually the warning signs of hypoglycaemia appear before a hypoglycaemic episode and you can take corrective measures to prevent it.

At times, the warning symptoms fail to occur and acute hypoglycaemia may occur. Such a situation is known as Hypoglycaemia Unawareness, which may even prove fatal.

A hypoglycaemic episode and temporary mental confusion / disorientation may prove to be especially dangerous during driving or working with precision instruments. Hypoglycaemic unawareness may occurr more commonly in patients:

• With strict control of diabetes
• With long duration of diabetes
• Undergoing intensive treatment with insulin and / or anti-diabetic tablets
• With frequent hypoglycaemia
• In advanced age

To prevent hypoglycaemia unawareness, you can take the following measures:

• Monitor blood glucose levels regularly
• Avoid fluctuations in blood glucose levels
• Make your family members and colleagues aware of the possiblee symptoms of hypoglycaemia and caution them
• Always carry sugar or glucose with you

Which foods should be preferred:

• Fresh fruits
• Green leafy vegetables
• Seasonal vegetables
• Sprouts, pulses soyabean
• Beverages eg. tea / coffee without sugar, jaljeera, limewater.

Dr. Sanjay Asgekar Consulting Physician Laksh-Deep Hospital