[Hypoglycemia: prevention and treatment]

The main measure against hypoglycaemia in diabetes mellitus is prevention by educating patients, their relatives and close friends. Therapy of a hypoglycaemic reaction depends on its severity cause and type of diabetes. Administration of small molecule sugars (saccharose/glucose) is mandatory. Full recovery is usual depending on the rapidity of diagnosis and treatment. Therapeutic measures for diverse hypoglycaemic situations and some practical considerations in relation to prevention are discussed by the authors.