Hypoglycaemia

Video 8 of 20
1 min 39 sec
English
English
Want to watch this video? Sign up for the course or enter your email below to watch one free video.

Unlock This Video Now for FREE

This video is normally available to paying customers.
You may unlock this video for FREE. Enter your email address for instant access AND to receive ongoing updates and special discounts related to this topic.

The opposite of having a high blood sugar is, obviously, having a low blood sugar. This is called hypoglycaemia, and like hyperglycaemia, it most commonly affects people who are diabetic. This becomes even more common in diabetic people if they are being treated with extra insulin. Hypoglycaemia occurs when the person’s blood glucose levels fall below 4 millimoles per litre. Again, as with hyperglycaemia, it can be very dangerous if not treated properly, however unlike its counterpart, it is relatively easy to treat. If not treated properly, hypoglycaemia can result in a seizure, coma, or even death.

Signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia include obvious changes in behaviour, hunger, cold and sweaty skin and finally having a rapid pulse but normal breathing rate. Hypoglycaemia has a very fast onset, which can usually be an obvious sign that the person is hypoglycaemic rather than hyperglycaemic. Whilst more serious cases of would require someone calling the emergency medical services, less extreme cases can be treated quite easily. People who are prone to become hypoglycaemic, such as people with diabetes, should carry either glucose gels, glucose tablets or some sort of quick-release, high-sugar snack such as a chocolate bar or sweet drink. This should be ingested if symptoms of hypoglycaemia present, and then they should test their blood glucose levels after about 10-15 minutes to make sure they are back to normal.