A severe drop in blood sugar can lead to seizures or coma within minutes, but the 15-15 rule offers bystanders a simple way to respond.
Low blood sugar in people with diabetes can become an emergency much faster than many people realise, according to David Callejo, an anaesthetist and doctor who has urged bystanders to learn the basics of first aid for hypoglycaemia. The World Health Organization says diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it properly, and that prolonged high blood sugar can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
Callejo’s central warning is that hypoglycaemia, not hyperglycaemia, is the more immediately dangerous problem. He says a severe drop in blood sugar can lead to seizures, neurological injury or coma if it is not treated promptly. The symptoms can include sweating, shaking, palpitations, anxiety, drowsiness and blurred vision, signs that can be mistaken for other problems if people are not familiar with them. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also classifies low blood sugar as a dangerous condition that needs rapid action.
His practical advice is based on the so-called 15-15 rule, a standard approach also recommended by the CDC. Give the person 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate, wait 15 minutes, then check again if possible. That could mean sugar dissolved in water, fruit juice or a sugary soft drink; the CDC also lists glucose tablets, honey, syrup and hard sweets as suitable options. If the person remains seriously unwell or the episode is severe, emergency treatment may be needed, including glucagon if it is available.
The warning comes against a wider backdrop of rising diabetes numbers. The World Health Organization says the condition now affects hundreds of millions of adults worldwide, and more than half of those with diabetes are not receiving treatment. It distinguishes between type 1 diabetes, in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, type 2 diabetes, in which the body becomes resistant to insulin or produces too little of it, and gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy and raises the later risk of type 2 disease. The WHO also advises prevention through a healthy weight, regular physical activity, a balanced diet and not smoking.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
