2024 - Diabetes: too little sugar in the blood (hypoglycemia)

What is it about ?

Diabetes is a chronic disease of the metabolism characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood, this is called hyperglycemia.

In some circumstances, the blood sugar level may, on the other hand, be too low. This is called hypoglycemia. The level of sugar in the blood (glycemia), for example measured on a drop of blood taken from the fingertip, is less than 70 mg / dl.

Hypoglycemia can have different causes:

Injecting too much insulin;
A delayed or skipped meal;
Sports activity or intense physical exertion;
Excessive alcohol consumption;
Taking certain medications.

People with type 1 diabetes are much more susceptible to hypoglycemia than people with type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes have a low risk of hypoglycemia unless they are treated with insulin. or by certain drugs (sulfonylureas or glinides).

How to recognize it?

If you have too little sugar in your blood, you may have the following symptoms:

Palpitations,
Sweat,
Hunger,
Tremors,
Agitation,
Headache,
Confusion, difficulty concentrating,
Double vision,
Loss of consciousness.

Symptoms vary from person to person. They can even vary from episode to episode in the same person. Be careful when someone with diabetes behaves strangely.

The use of certain medications can sometimes mask the symptoms. Likewise, if you have been diabetic for a long time or have frequent hypoglycaemia, the symptoms may improve and it may become more difficult to recognize hypoglycaemia.

How is the diagnosis made?

In the event of symptoms that may resemble hypoglycemia, the level of sugar in the blood (glycemia) will be measured on a small drop of blood taken from the tip of the finger.

What can you do ?

If you feel the onset of hypoglycemia, eat something containing sugars that are quickly absorbed by the body (fast sugars) (foods with a very high glycemic index). If symptoms persist after 10 minutes, have another sweet snack.

Always try to have quick sugars on hand. What is recommended is half a glass of fruit juice, a tablespoon of honey, half a glass of soft drink (neither Light nor Zero), or 2-3 lumps of sugar.

Then you can take sugars that are absorbed more slowly (for example a toast of gray bread, a fruit or a biscuit high in fiber) (foods with a low or medium glycemic index).

It is important for family, colleagues and friends to know that you have diabetes and what to do if you have low blood sugar. This is because if you have severe hypoglycemia, you may not be able to eat or drink anything. In this case, someone should immediately call the GP and spread some honey or syrup on the inside of your cheeks. This will already give you some sugar in the blood.

You are also advised to wear a necklace, bracelet or card indicating that you have diabetes.

If you are taking insulin, you may have to keep glucagon (a medicine that raises blood sugar levels) nearby in case of an emergency. If you are unconscious, people around you can give you this injection.

Some tips to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia:

Don’t skip meals;
Take an extra snack when you put in the effort;
Limit your alcohol consumption;
Use the right dose of medicine and take it when it is needed.

What can your doctor do?

The doctor will take a drop of blood from your fingertip to measure your blood sugar and give you quick sugars if you haven’t already. If necessary, he will repeat the operation after 10 minutes. You can then consume slow sugars.

If you are drowsy or unconscious, the doctor cannot make you eat sugars because you may choke on your food or drink. Your doctor will then inject a sugar solution into your veins or give you an injection of glucagon. He may offer you a strongly sweetened solution with a spoon if no other treatment is available (10 sugar cubes dissolved in hot water). As soon as you regain consciousness, you can consume fast sugars, then slow sugars.

Hospitalization is sometimes necessary to give you a glucose infusion. This treatment is particularly indicated in cases of persistent drowsiness, drunkenness or general poor health.

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