Hypoglycaemia: What to Do When it Strikes

​Fast heartbeat, dizziness, and tingling sensations. These are just 3 of the many early symptoms of hypoglycaemia. 

Also known as "low blood sugar" and "low blood glucose", hypoglycaemia can affect both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. It occurs when one's blood glucose level falls below 4.0 mmol/L on a glucose metre due to factors such as:

• Taking too much insulin or certain oral glucose-lowering pills
  
• Drinking excessive alcohol, particularly without food
  
• Exercising more than usual
  
• Waiting too long between meals, or skip meals
  

Hypoglycaemia needs immediate treatment and it is tantamount to recognise the early symptoms to take corrective action.  

Read on to find out how you can spot signs of hypoglycaemia and what you can do to manage it. 

What are the Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia? 

Early signs of hypoglycaemia 

These are some of the more common early signs of hypoglycaemia:

1. Shakiness
   
2. Sweating
3. Fast heartbeat
4. Headaches
5. Dizziness
6. Feeling nervous and/or anxious
   
7. Tingling sensation in your fingers, lips, or tongue
   
8. Feeling irritable
   
9. Feeling hungry or nauseous
   

Severe symptoms of hypoglycaemia

If unmanaged and ignored, the condition may worsen and lead to the following symptoms:

1. Blurred vision
   
2. Slurred speech
3. Loss of consciousness
   
4. Seizures
   
5. Weakness and difficulty walking
6. Confusion and abnormal behaviour
   

Nocturnal hypoglycaemia

Unbeknownst to one, some symptoms may also appear when he/she is asleep! These include:

1. Profuse sweating while sleeping 
   
2. Feeling tired, confused or having a headache upon waking
   
3. Seizures
   

What should I do if I have Hypoglycaemia? 

If the glucose metre displays a reading below 4.0 mmol/L, then it is imperative to treat it as soon as you can. 

And this is where we introduce the 15-15 rule.

15-15 rule

Step 1: Take 15g of Fast-acting Carbohydrates

Do this immediately. Here are some options:

Avoiding taking fatty and protein-rich foods to treat low blood glucose as they take longer to digest. Similarly, skip foods that require more chewing and sucking. 

If your blood glucose level is less than 2.8 mmol/L, double the mass of carbohydrates to 30g. 

Step 2: Measure your blood glucose level again in 15 minutes

It takes some time for the glucose level to rise after eating. Test your blood sugar reading with the glucose metre.

Step 3: If the test shows a reading that is less than 4.0 mmol/L, repeat until the reading increases

But when the metre shows a reading above 4.0 mmol/L, you may proceed to step 4. 

Step 4: If your next meal is more than 1 hour later, consume a snack containing 15g of long-acting carbohydrates

Here are some snack ideas you may consider: 

Finally, ensure you keep these instructions handy by downloading a copy in your preferred language:
低血糖 | 迹象和症状.pdf

Hipoglisemia | Tanda-Tandanya.pdf

இரத்தச் சர்க்கரைக் குறைவு | அடையாளங்கள்.pdf