Low Blood Sugar

hellonotarealdr
Jun 11
2 min read

Updated: Jun 22

Low blood sugar (it's official name is hypoglycaemia) can be caused by too much insulin*, overexercising, not eating enough, and not eating enough high-energy food. It is usually present in people with diabetes*, who can go into hypoglycaemic shock*, and is rare in people without diabetes.

Stretch!

Hypoglycaemia is particularly dangerous because the brain depends on glucose for energy, and, unlike muscles, it can't store any.

Symptoms:

feeling hungry
feeling dizzy
feeling anxious or irritable
sweating
shaking
tingling lips
heart palpitations
feeling tired or weak
changes in your vision such as blurred vision
feeling confused

What to do:

Ask the casualty to sit down in a comfortable position
If they are conscious (they usually will be) give them some sweet food or drinks such as chocolate, their own glucose gel, sugar lumps, or energy drinks.
If they do not recover within minutes, call emergency services.
If the casualty is unconscious, put them in the recovery position and call emergency services.
Do not attempt to feed an unconscious casualty as they cannot swallow safely and may choke.

As a reminder, here is how to put someone in the recovery position:

Summary:

Low blood sugar is usually caused by too much insulin, not eating enough, or overexercising, mainly affecting diabetics. Symptoms include hunger, dizziness, sweating, shaking, and confusion. If conscious, give the person sugary food or drink and keep them comfortable. If they don’t get better/are unconscious, call emergency services and avoid feeding them.

Glossary:

Insulin: a substance your body produces that manages how much sugar is in your blood.

Diabetes: people who have diabetes have too much sugar in their blood. This can happen because their body doesn't make enough insulin, or it can't use the insulin it makes.

Hypoglycaemic shock: when someone's blood sugar becomes severely low, to the point that they fall unconscious.

For Older Learners

Use these questions to challenge yourself!

Why is it important to give fast-acting sugar (like fruit juice or glucose tablets) rather than chocolate when treating hypoglycaemia?
Why should you not give chocolate or sugary food to an unconscious casualty with low blood sugar?
Why do symptoms like confusion, blurred vision, and dizziness appear during hypoglycaemia before other symptoms like collapse or unconsciousness?