Know what to look out for this Hypo Awareness Week
Do you know how to recognise the symptoms of a hypoglycaemic episode?
Hypo Awareness week is an annual campaign aimed at elevating awareness of hypoglycaemia among healthcare professionals in the UK, running this week 14th to 20 September.
Symptoms of low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia, “hypos”)
The lows – hypos are most commonly due to a mismatch between low blood glucose levels and high blood insulin (naturally produced or administered) levels. Low blood glucose levels cannot be used to diagnose diabetes.
Early symptoms include:
- sweating
- palpitations
- tingling lips or tongue
- shaking
- dizziness, feeling light-headed
- irritability
- hunger
Late symptoms (where the brain is more affected) include:
- headaches
- difficulty concentrating
- confusion
- blurred vision
- speech difficulty
- difficulty coordinating movements
- drowsiness
Low blood glucose levels can be caused by:
- excessive or unplanned physical activity or exercise
- reduced carbohydrate intake (e.g. missed meals, vomiting)
- alcohol reducing the release of glucose from the liver into the blood
Increased blood insulin levels can be associated with:
- increased insulin release in response to certain diabetes tablets
- excessive insulin dose or wrong administration times, lumpy injection sites or weight loss
- drug interactions
Always seek medical advice if concerned.
Read more in the DRWF diabetes information resource Diabetes Signs and Symptoms
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