Emergency

Diabetic Emergency

For a conscious person with low blood sugar (a "hypo"), give something sugary; if they are unresponsive or you are unsure, call 999.

When to call 999. Call 999 if the person is unresponsive, having a seizure, cannot swallow safely, does not improve within 10 minutes of sugar, or if you suspect very high blood sugar with drowsiness, deep breathing or a fruity smell on the breath.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

What to do

  1. If the person is confused, shaky, sweaty, pale or behaving oddly and can still swallow safely, suspect low blood sugar (a hypo).
  2. Give them something sugary straight away — a sugary (non-diet) drink, glucose tablets, or a few sweets.
  3. Wait about 10–15 minutes. If they improve, follow up with a longer-acting snack such as a sandwich or biscuits.
  4. If they do not improve within 10–15 minutes, or get worse, call 999.
  5. If they are drowsy, confused or unresponsive, do not give them anything by mouth — call 999.
  6. If they become unresponsive and are not breathing normally, start CPR.

Avoid

What not to do

Do not give food or drink to someone who is drowsy or unable to swallow safely, as it could choke them. Do not assume you can always tell high from low blood sugar — if unsure, treat for low sugar if they can swallow, and call 999 if they cannot.

Afterwards and while you wait

Once recovered from a hypo, the person should check their blood sugar if able, have a longer-lasting snack, and think about what caused it (missed meal, extra exercise or too much insulin). Recurrent or severe episodes should be reviewed by their diabetes team.

Education and reference only. This is general first-aid information aligned with UK guidance, not a substitute for a hands-on first-aid course or professional emergency care. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 straight away.

Answers

Diabetic Emergency: frequently asked questions

How can I tell if blood sugar is high or low?

It can be hard to tell. Low sugar often comes on quickly with shakiness, sweating and confusion; high sugar develops more slowly with thirst, tiredness and needing to pass urine. If unsure and they can swallow, sugar is the safer first step; call 999 if in doubt.

What sugary things work best for a hypo?

Fast-acting sugar such as glucose tablets, a sugary (non-diet) drink or a few sweets, followed by a longer-acting snack like a sandwich once they improve.

Related

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Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NHS — first aid
  • St John Ambulance / British Red Cross first-aid guidance
  • Resuscitation Council UK (where relevant)

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