Early warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia in ambulant diabetics

Abstract

One hundred and twenty five insulin-taking patients and their relatives were asked to list the symptoms which they found most useful in the early recognition of hypoglycaemia. Those reported d a r e d from those mentioned in thirteen text books and patient information books. Early warning symptoms varied with the duration of diabetes. Within the first five years automatic symptoms predominated but thereafter early symptoms were mainly neuroglycopaenic.

Hypoglycaemia: insulin and conflicts with the law

“…At this concentration almost everyone has some degree of cognitive impairment and most experience symptoms caused by autonomic nervous activitynamely sweating, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, pallor etc. 12 Detailed psychometric testing and examination of the physiological responses to lowering the blood glucose concentration reveal however that subtle changes occur at higher blood glucose levels. 13 At blood glucose concentrations around 3.8-4.0 mmol/L non-constitutive endogenous insulin secretion ceases and at 3.2-3.5 mmol/L increased glucagon and adrenaline secretionas a representative of autonomic nervous activity -commences.…”