Drop in blood glucose below 30 mg/dl. There are many causes, but the main ones are: an error in insulin administration, a coexisting disease, and an excess of glucose consumption with a low carbohydrate intake.
The most common symptoms are dizziness, tremors, sweating, tachycardia, tingling, confusion, changes in vision and reduced level of consciousness.
The diagnosis is made by analysing the concentration of glucose in a drop of blood taken from a fingertip.
In cases of severe hypoglycaemia with loss of consciousness, intravenous glucose may need to be given. Diabetics may have a medicine called glucagon, which can be given intramuscularly to raise blood glucose levels from the body's own reserves.
If you have diabetes, it is important that the people closest to you know what to do in the event of hypoglycaemia.
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