Hypos can occur in people who use insulin and some other types of glucose-lowering medications. It is important to treat a hypo quickly to stop your blood glucose level from dropping even lower. You should always carry hypo treatment with you. People with diabetes often worry or become fearful about hypos. If you feel this way, you are not alone. There are many things you can do to reduce the risk of hypos and ease your fears. A hypo can be caused by a number of reasons including: delaying or missing a meal not eating enough carbohydrate (carb) foods in your last meal unplanned or intense physical activity more strenuous exercise than usual using too much insulin or other glucose-lowering medication. Sometimes there is no obvious reason why a low blood glucose level happens. Read more in our fact sheets. Managing hypoglycaemia fact sheet Hypos can occur in people who use insulin and some other types of glucose-lowering medications. Learn about how to recognise the signs and manage hypoglycaemia. Download now Fear of hypoglycaemia fact sheet People with diabetes often worry or become fearful about hypos. There are many things you can do to reduce the risk of hypos and ease your fears. Download now When and how psychologists can support people with diabetes fact sheet Most people with diabetes manage well most of the time. But it is okay to acknowledge if you are struggling. Many people benefit from specialist emotional support from a psychologist. Download now Occasionally, you may experience severe hypos. This is when you can’t treat a hypo yourself and need help from someone else. It is important for your partner, carer, family and friends to know how to recognise and treat hypos. What are the symptoms of a hypo? A hypo can affect everyone differently and sometimes your symptoms can change. With time you will learn how it makes your own body feel. Early symptoms can include: weakness, trembling or shaking sweating light-headedness or dizziness headache lack of concentration or behaviour change irritability, tearfulness or crying hunger tingling or numbness of the lips, tongue or cheek a fast heartbeat blurred vision. If you feel any of these symptoms, check your blood glucose level. If you cannot do this, treat these symptoms as if you are having a hypo. Be aware of your individual hypo symptoms. Make a note of any hypos you do have. Discuss these with your diabetes health professional. How is a hypo treated? It’s important to treat a hypo quickly to stop your blood glucose level from dropping even lower. Untreated hypos can be dangerous. Carry your hypo treatment kit with you. Make sure the people around you—such as your family, friends, co-workers, school staff or carers—know how to recognise and treat hypos. Have some easily absorbed carbs, for example: glucose tablets equivalent to 15 grams of carb OR 6–7 regular jellybeans OR ½ a can (150 ml) of regular, not ‘diet soft drink OR 3 teaspoons of sugar or honey OR ½ a glass (125 ml) of fruit juice. After 10–15 minutes, recheck your blood glucose level to make sure it has risen above 4mmol/L. If it has not, repeat the treatment. If your next meal is more than 15–20 minutes away, and your blood glucose level is above 4 mmol/L, eat some longer-acting carbs such as: 1 slice of bread OR 1 glass (250 ml) of milk or soy milk OR 1 piece of fruit OR 1 small tub (100g) fruit yoghurt. For individualised advice on hypo treatment, talk to your doctor, diabetes nurse practitioner or diabetes educator about how to treat and manage your hypos. Driving Keep yourself and others on the road safe. Do not drive if your blood glucose level is under 5 mmol/L. Find out more about diabetes and road safety. Diabetes and driving This booklet provides guidance on driving if you have diabetes and the steps you can take to prevent low blood glucose while driving to ensure road safety. Download Diabetes and driving quick guide This quick guide answers common questions about diabetes and driving and provides information on where to get support. Available in other languages Download Diabetes and driving quick guide video This video answers common questions about diabetes and driving and provides information on where to get support. Available in other languages Watch now Free access to diabetes programs Learn to manage your diabetes confidently with diabetes programs, available face-to-face and online. Register for a diabetes program. More information and support Call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700 and ask to speak to a diabetes educator. Find a diabetes educator near you Go to Australian Diabetes Educators Association to find a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) on their website. Go to Australian Diabetes Educators Association Find a health service or health professional near you Go to healthdirect to find a diabetes health service or diabetes health professional on their website. Go to Healthdirect Featured resources Managing hypoglycaemia fact sheet Hypos can occur in people who use insulin and some other types of glucose-lowering medications. Learn about how to recognise the signs and manage hypoglycaemia. Download now Fear of hypoglycaemia fact sheet People with diabetes often worry or become fearful about hypos. There are many things you can do to reduce the risk of hypos and ease your fears. Download now When and how psychologists can support people with diabetes fact sheet Most people with diabetes manage well most of the time. But it is okay to acknowledge if you are struggling. Many people benefit from specialist emotional support from a psychologist. Download now Diabetes and driving This booklet provides guidance on driving if you have diabetes and the steps you can take to prevent low blood glucose while driving to ensure road safety. Download Alcohol fact sheet When you have diabetes, there are some extra things to consider when you drink alcohol. It can have many different effects on your body. Download now Carbohydrate counting fact sheet All the carbohydrates, you eat and drink change into glucose within about two hours, which affects your body’s blood glucose level. Understand the effect that carbs have to help you manage your diabetes. Download now Living well with type 1 diabetes – what to do when you are sick fact sheet Like everyone, people living with type 1 diabetes get sick with everyday illnesses such as influenza (flu), a cold, gastro, or other common infections. It is important to be prepared and to know what to do. Download now Living well with type 2 diabetes – what to do when you are sick fact sheet Like everyone, people living with type 2 diabetes get sick with everyday illnesses such as influenza (flu), a cold, gastro, or other common infections. It is important to be prepared and to know what to do. Download now Continuous glucose monitoring fact sheet CGM devices are small wearable monitors that measure and show your glucose levels throughout the day and night. They can be programmed to sound alarms and send alerts about your glucose levels. Download now Flash glucose monitoring fact sheet Flash GM devices are small wearable sensors that measure glucose levels throughout the day and night. A reader is scanned over the sensor to see the current glucose level. Download now
