What to do when you’re ill
It is important to know how to cope when you’re feeling unwell with diabetes. The following resources contain useful advice and guidance for managing diabetes when you’re ill:
Diabetes and being ill | Managing when you're sick | Diabetes UK
Hypos
What is a hypo?
- If you have diabetes and take certain treatments, your blood sugar levels can sometimes become too low - this is referred to as a hypo or hypoglycaemia event
- This occurs when your blood glucose level drops below 4mmol/L
You may find the following videos useful:
Signs and symptoms - early symptoms may include:
- Sweating
- Becoming pale
- Feeling anxious
- Trembling and shaking
- Tingling of the lips
- Palpitations
- Headache
- Hunger
Signs and symptoms if early signs missed:
- Slurring your words
- Behaving oddly
- Being unusually aggressive or tearful
- Having difficulty in concentrating
Causes of a hypo:
- Too much insulin or diabetes tablets
- Delayed of missed meals
- Eating less starchy food than usual
- Unplanned or strenuous exercise
- Drinking too much alcohol without food
- Incorrect insulin injection technique
How to treat
If you recognise you are having a hypo, you should treat immediately to raise your blood sugar level with one of the following, containing 15g to 20g of fast-acting carbohydrate:
- 200mls orange juice or a small carton
- 6 dextrose tablets
- 5 GlucoTabs
- 4 Jelly Babies
- 150mls non-diet coke
If you do not feel better after 10 to 15 minutes (or your blood glucose level is still under 4mmol/L), repeat one of the above treatments.
When you start to feel better, if you are not due to eat a meal, eat a starchy snack such as 2 plain biscuits or a banana.
How to avoid:
- Eat regular meals with a small portion of starchy carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes or cereal
- Take your medication regularly at the correct times
- Keep to sensible alcohol limits and do not drink on an empty stomach
- You may need to eat more carbohydrates before and after physical activity or discuss adjusting your medication doses at times of exercise
- If blood glucose levels are regularly dropping, discuss with your doctor or nurse
- Always carry hypo treatment with you
- You may find the following leaflet useful: TREND Hypo Leaflet
Driving and hypos:
- Always check your blood sugar before driving - it should be 5mmol/L to drive
- On long journeys, stop and check your blood sugar every 2 hours
- Carry hypo treatments in your car
- If you have a hypo whilst driving, stop the car as soon as possible and remove the keys from the ignition to demonstrate you are not in charge of the car. Treat the hypo.
- Do not drive for 45minutes after recovery as your response rates will be slower
- Check out the following video for further information: Driving and Diabetes
Looking after your feet:
- You can find a range of self-help resources on our Podiatry service website
- You may also find the following video useful: Foot Care
Travelling with diabetes
Diabetes should not stop you enjoying your holiday, but you will need to consider a few things whilst preparing. The site below contains useful tips and advice for travelling with diabetes:
Travelling with diabetes | Managing your diabetes | Diabetes UK
For further advice about travelling abroad, watch the following video: Travelling Abroad
Thinking of having a baby with diabetes
For information on what you need to think about when planning a family, visit: Pregnancy and diabetes | Diabetes UK
The following video also contains useful advice: Diabetes and Pregnancy
Tests for your diabetes
- HbA1c, BP and cholesterol
- Target ranges
- Getting older with diabetes
Annual review
Every year, you should have a full review of your diabetes. This is to look at whether your diabetes is controlled or whether you have early signs of organ damage which may need treatment.
What diabetes care to expect | Diabetes UK
For more information about what to expect at the annual review, watch this video: Annual Review Appointment
Retinal screening
The following resources contain useful information about diabetic eye screening:
Diabetic eye screening | Retinopathy | Diabetes UK
Home blood glucose monitoring
You may be asked to monitor your blood sugar levels at home. The links below contain instructions on how to use the meters.
