Diabetes currently affects over 460 million people worldwide. 

Hypoglycaemia is a common and serious complication of diabetes, particularly affecting people with diabetes on insulin treatment. It is characterised by abnormally low blood sugar levels, which can lead to cognitive impairment and in some severe cases, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma and even death.

Hypoglycaemia can be caused by too much insulin in the body, a low intake of carbohydrate, unplanned exercise and activities, and missed or delayed meals/snacks.

Typical symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Fast Heartbeat
• Headache
• Hunger
• Irritability
• Shakiness
• Weakness/fatigue

For people with diabetes, the generally accepted cut-off point to define hypoglycaemia is a blood glucose level below 3.9mmol/L (70 mg/dl), although people may experience symptoms associated with hypoglycaemia at a higher level or have no symptoms at that level.

Hypoglycaemia can have a profound effect on the everyday lives of people with diabetes and their care givers. Research has found that 70% of people with type 1 diabetes feel tired the day after a night-time hypoglycaemic event and that over 60% of family members of people with diabetes are worried about the risk of hypoglycaemia to their loved one.