About the topic
Low blood glucose can occur with insulin or some other diabetes medicines. Severe episodes can cause seizures or unconsciousness and need emergency help.
What to do now
- Only if fully awake and swallowing safely, use fast-acting sugar and recheck glucose according to the diabetes plan.
- If drowsy, having a seizure or unresponsive, give nothing by mouth and seek emergency help immediately.
- Use prescribed glucagon only if available and you know how, while help is arranged; stay with the person.
Symptoms & signs
- Shaking, sweating or hunger.
- Dizziness, weakness, blurred vision or confusion.
- A seizure, abnormal responsiveness or unconsciousness in a severe episode.
When to speak with a clinician: After any severe or repeated episode, ask the diabetes team to review the treatment and prevention plan.
Food & nutrition
Severe hypoglycaemia is not a home diet problem. Impaired consciousness needs emergency help and no oral intake; the treating team directs feeding after recovery.
Foods & nutrition to follow
- Only when fully awake and swallowing safely, use fast-acting sugar according to the diabetes plan.
- After recovery, follow the planned meal or snack and glucose rechecks.
Foods to limit or avoid
- Give nothing orally during drowsiness, seizure or unconsciousness, including glucose gel.
- For prevention, avoid skipping meals and drinking alcohol without food.
About this guide
General adult health information; it does not diagnose your symptoms or replace individual medical advice. Follow any plan your treating team has given you.
Further reading from the clinical sources used for this guide: