The Symptoms of a Hypogylcaemic Attack

A diabetic hypoglycaemic attack can come as a result of many different activities. A type 1 diabetic can experience spells of dizziness, blurred sight, sweating, shaking hands and feet, an unnaturally cold body temperature, an unnaturally hot body temperature, a slurring of their words, a general lack of control over their bodily functions, and confusion, amongst many other symptoms. A person suffering a hypoglycaemic attack can fall very quickly into a worsened state if they are not treated rapidly leading to further complications. Of the above listed symptoms; when experiencing low blood sugars, a diabetic may show signs of one, two, three, all or none of the above symptoms which is why it is important for us to know as much about the disease as possible.

The most common of these symptoms is shaking limbs; this effect can make writing, typing, cooking, buttoning or unbuttoning clothes, literally any activity which you need to use your hands for, nearly impossible. Sometimes someone with diabetes can even feel pins and needles in their tongue, or a numbing of their mouth. The experiences of a hypoglycaemic attack are numerous and are seemingly endless. There are many symptoms which occur across the board, however there are certain symptoms that one diabetic may suffer that another diabetes sufferer has never experienced.

The disease is very difficult to understand because, once diagnosed with diabetes, your blood sugars are affected by all surrounding variables. Doctors and nurses are also unsure why some people are struck down with the disease yet others are not. There are also varying degrees of diabetes type 1 which further complicates the issue (for example, some individuals are told they are 'borderline' diabetic)

I have been diabetic for nine years - I was diagnosed as a teenager aged 13 - and still cannot ascertain what will happen to me when my blood sugar level drops. A type 1 diabetic whose hypoglycaemic levels are low can appear drunk, or even mentally ill, causing members of the public to disregard them. Despite it being well publicised, the general public do not know the details of type 1 diabetes and can be unnerved when face with someone suffering a hypoglycaemic attack.

However, it is vital that you, as a healthy individual, do not ignore a diabetic who is suffering a hypoglycaemic attack, as the worst effects can end in the patient falling into a hypoglycaemic coma, or even in death. It is imperative that those of us who do not suffer type 1 diabetes learn to recognise the effects of a diabetic hypoglycaemic attack because a moment's ignorance on your part, could be the death sentence for a type 1 diabetic.