Insulin is normally produced in the pancreas and helps the body's cells absorb glucose from the blood:

• After a meal the glucose level rises after a meal to about 7-10mmol/l.
• One to two hours later, the glucose level starts dropping again. By the next meal, the glucose level is back to normal: about 4-5mmol/l. The insulin level in the blood has also returned to norma.

Hypoglycaemic episodes (hypos) can be caused by:

• over-treatment - the dose of insulin or diabetes tablets is set too high or you accidentally take too much.
• mismatched calorie intake versus demand - this happens when your body needs energy but can't get it from your calorie intake ie if you eat less than usual or exercise more.
• alcohol - alcoholic drinks tend to lower the blood sugar.