Contents:
Medical Video: What is hypoglycemia? - DiaBiteSize
- Definition
What is hypoglycemia?
For diabetics, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occurs when too much insulin and not enough sugar (glucose) in the blood. Hypoglycemia is defined as a condition of blood sugar below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg / dL), or 3.9 millimoles per liter (mmol / L).
Several factors can cause hypoglycemia in people with diabetes, including consuming too much insulin or other diabetes drugs, skipping meals, or exercising harder than usual.
Watch for early warning signs, so you can treat low blood sugar immediately. Treatment involves a short-term solution, for example by taking glucose tablets to increase your blood sugar to the normal range.
Untreated hypoglycemia can cause seizures and loss of consciousness. Although rare, this can be deadly. Tell your family and friends what symptoms to watch for and what to do if you cannot overcome the condition yourself.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia?
Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia that can occur quickly include:
- Shakiness
- Nervous or anxious
- Sweating, shivering and stickiness
- Irritable or impatient
- Confusion, including delirium
- Fast heartbeat
- Headache or dizziness
- Hunger and nausea
- Sleepy
- Visual impairment
- Tingling or numbness in the lips or tongue
- Headache
- Weakness or fatigue
- Anger, stubbornness or sadness
- Lack of coordination
- Nightmares or crying while sleeping
- Unconscious spasms
- How to overcome
What should I do?
If you think your blood sugar is too low, check your blood sugar level with a blood glucose meter. Then eat or drink something with sugar or carbohydrates high enough to increase your blood sugar quickly. Foods that contain lots of fat, like chocolate, don't work well. Examples of foods that will increase your blood sugar level quickly include:
- Five to six candies
- Four ounces (120 milliliters) of regular fruit juice or soda (not diet soda)
- One tablespoon (15 milliliters) of sugar, jelly or honey
- Three glucose tablets (available without prescription at many pharmacies)
- Glucose gel (read label for amount)
If you have symptoms of low blood sugar but cannot check your blood sugar level immediately, keep doing first aid measures as if you were hypoglycemic. You might want to bring at least one sweet food or drink with you at any time. Wear a bracelet that identifies you as someone who has diabetes.
Check your blood sugar levels again 15 to 20 minutes later. If you are still too low, eat or drink something sweet. When you feel better, eat as usual.
When do I have to see a doctor?
You may often experience serious hypoglycemia despite adjusting your medication. In this situation, doctors can recommend a variety of higher glucose ranges and prescribe glucagon, a hormone that causes blood glucose to increase.
Glucagon, available only by prescription, is available as an emergency syringe kit. If you are not aware, someone who gives you an injection must change your position to lie on the side of your body to prevent choking if you vomit.
In 15 minutes, you must be alert and ready to swallow. You then have to eat. If you do not respond within 15 minutes, you need emergency medical care.
- Prevention
Your best weapon is to practice good diabetes management and learn to detect hypoglycemia so you can treat it early - before it gets worse.
Pay attention to your food plan. Eat at least three times each day with even breaks, and make sure the gap between regular meals and regular snacks is as recommended by the doctor.
Plan your meal schedule so that it is not more than 4 to 5 hours apart
If you want to exercise, do 30 minutes to 1 hour after eating. Check your sugar before and after exercise, and discuss with your doctor what changes can be made.
Check insulin and the dosage of diabetes medication before taking it. Test your blood sugar as often as directed by your doctor. Use an identification bracelet stating that you have diabetes.
