Diabetic Emergencies

Hypoglycaemia

Hypoglycaemia is a condition caused by a very low blood glucose (sugar) in blood. It often link to change of medication or insulin dose. 

• 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

Symptoms include:

• Cold sweat
• Trembling hands
• Hunger
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Irregular, fast heart beat
• Mood changes or confusion, seizures, loss of consiousness

Treating Hypoglycaemia

Glucose (sugar) intake is the most straightforward method to treat the symptoms.

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

Hyperglycaemia, or high blood sugar is abnormally high blood glucose level in blood, mostly affected people with diabetes. It does not show symptoms until the blood level shows significance (typically above 180 to 200 milligrams/deciliter).

Common causes include:

• Forget to take insulin or diabetes tablets
• Fall ill
• Under excessive stress
• Not exercising as usual

• Dry mouth, increase 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, coma

It can be life threatening If the high blood glucose is not controlled. Contact your doctor early if you have any of the above symptoms.

Keeping a record of your blood glucose by doing home blood glucose monitoring will help you notice these situations early and prevent serious illness that may lead to hospitalisation or even death.