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If you're diabetic or live with a loved one who has been diagnosed with diabetes, then you should have a basic understanding about what causes low blood sugar levels, or hypoglycaemia, and what to do about it.

If someone has been diagnosed with diabetes type 2 and is on no medications, then the likelihood of hypoglycaemia is low.

But if you're a diabetic on treatment, then read this article to find out the important facts about hypoglycaemia.

What is the effect of hypoglycaemia?

The symptoms of low blood sugar are divided into two groups.

1. Symptoms caused by the release of epinephrine (adrenaline) by the body, in response to the low sugar level.

The symptoms as a result of this are sweating, trembling, palpitations, nervousness, hunger and craving for food.

2. Symptoms related to the brain not getting enough of its fuel: glucose. The symptoms caused by this are difficulty thinking, headache, change in behaviour, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, seizures and even coma.

What causes low blood sugar levels?

The most common situation in which low glucose levels occur is in diabetics, especially type 1 diabetics. It is due to situations where there's too much insulin given in relation to the situation at hand.

For example, if insulin is given but the meal is skipped or delayed too long, or if the dose of insulin is too large. It can also occur during excessive exercise

For type 2 diabetics, hypoglycaemia can occur when too much oral diabetic medications are taken.

What is the treatment for hypoglycaemia?

If someone has suspected hypoglycaemia and is awake and alert, that person should raise their blood sugar by drinking a sweet drink that contains sugar, not artificial sweetener as this will not work.

As well, he or she should eat a longer lasting carbohydrate such as bread or pasta as well, to maintain the blood sugar level for a longer period of time.

If there's any doubt that the person is improving rapidly, or if you're not sure of why the episode occurred, you should seek medical help immediately.

If someone is becoming drowsy and losing consciousness, then basic first aid applies and you should call the ambulance.

Always seek the advice of your doctor to figure out why the episode happened, and to see if it can be prevented in future, and medic alert bracelets should be considered also.

It is also a good idea to avoid repeated episodes of hypoglycaemia as this can desensitise the person to the symptoms and not cause any of the symptoms produced by the adrenaline release and therefore there may be no warning before an episode of low glucose levels.

In conclusion, know the causes and treatments for hypoglycaemia and ensure that your diabetes and glucose levels are well controlled, including monitoring with your blood glucose meter or monitor, to avoid these episodes from occurring.

So now that you know, make sure that others who live with someone with diabetes also knows.