Home Start here About Diabetes About Diabetic Info About Paul Acupressure Advice Alcohol Arctic Medical Books Cholesterol Complications Contacts Depression Diabetes UK Diet Discovery of Insulin Disclaimer Donations Downloads DVLA & Driving
Edwarda O’Bara Equipment Exercise Eye Screening Family & Friends Famous Diabetics FAQ Feedback From 2 to 4 Gallery
Garlic Gift Ideas Glycaemic Index Gout Help You Can Receive Hendrix Woke Me Hypo’s IDDT Illness Info Sheets Injections Insurance Joining DUK Ketoacidosis Leonard Thompson Links Link Exchange Mind Map Symptoms Newly Diagnosed Diabetic
Oliver Double Product Reviews Putting Yourself First Quick History Research SITE MAP Snacks Snack Carb Amounts
Statistics Stop Smoking Store Symptoms Posters Test Tips Travel Type 2 UK to US Blood Sugar Chart Vitamins
Hypo Guide Sheet
HYPO - A Quick Guide
Watch out for:
What to do:
Immediately take a short-acting carbohydrate, such as one of the following:
• 2 or 3 Glucose tablets
• Glass of fruit juice
• Glass of lucozade or coke (Not Diet)
• Chocolate such as Mini Mars Bar or Finger of Fudge
The amount needed will vary from person to person and will depend on circumstances
Then:
Follow this with a longer-acting carbohydrate to prevent the blood glucose from dropping again, such as one of the following:
• Sandwich
• Fruit
• Biscuits or Cereals
• Or the next meal - if due
If the person is unconscious:
Do not give anything to eat or drink.
Rub ‘Hypo-stop’ (a glucose gel usually carried by Diabetics) or honey or jam on the inside of the cheeks and gently massage the outside of the cheeks.
These are absorbed through the mouth lining and are not meant to be swallowed.
Take care not to be bitten by the person when placing fingers in the mouth.
When the person has recovered, give some longer-acting carbohydrate, as above.
If the person does not recover:
Call an ambulance
What causes a ‘Hypo’?
DOWNLOAD
If you take tablets or you are on insulin to control your Diabetes, alcohol can lower your blood sugar levels and potentially lead to hypoglycaemia. It is vital that you eat enough to counteract any alcohol you drink and preferably drink in moderation, perhaps just occasionally with a meal. Alcohol does not necessarily have an immediate affect on your levels; normally, when drinking alcohol your blood sugar level may rise initially and potentially fall later on - the delayed drop could cause a Hypo.
If you wish to drink, be responsible and sensible and consider your blood sugar levels both before and after consuming alcohol. Be aware also that if you have a Hypo, some of the symptoms such as slurred speech and confusion may give the impression that you are drunk.
Symptoms of a Diabetic Hypo Mind Map
Click image to download a jpeg
or select a PDF version >