Low blood sugar is also known as hypoglycemia. It's a condition that is triggered by a lower than normal blood glucose level, and comes with many warning signs. Causes of hypoglycemia in diabetics can stem from medications or inadequate, late, or skipped meals, or overindulgence in physical activity and alcohol. Read the warning signs of hypoglycemia. If these signs point to hypoglycemia, follow a pre-planned treatment. The following information will help you to recognize and treat low blood sugar.
Instructions
1. Symptoms of Diabetic Hypoglycemia
When someone has low blood sugar, they may feel hungry. They might also feel weak, shaky and nervous. A person with hypoglycemia sometimes sweats abnormally, has insomnia, lacks mental clarity, gets dizzy, has a problem with speaking, and they may feel anxious and weak. Symptoms of low blood sugar can show up while asleep in the form of nightmares and fits of crying, profuse sweating and feelings of lethargy and irritability.
2. Treatment of Diabetic Hypoglycemia
A blood sample and meter can be used to indicate if a blood glucose level is low. A reading under 70 mg/dL can be raised by ingesting glucose tablets (3-4), a serving of glucose gel, 4 ounces of a soft drink or fruit juice, 8 ounces of milk, hard candy (5-6 pieces), or a tablespoon of sugar or honey. After 15 minutes, the blood glucose level should be checked again, and the steps should be followed again until a reading of 70 mg/dL or above is achieved. When the blood glucose level has been raised, a little food should be eaten to tide one over until the next full meal. For severe cases of low blood sugar where the person has fainted, glucagon can be injected to normalize the blood glucose level. A glucagon emergency kit can be obtained from a health care provider for this purpose.
3. Symptoms of Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia
People who are not diabetic can have either reactive hypoglycemia or fasting hypoglycemia. The symptoms of these types of low blood sugar match the symptoms of hypoglycemia in diabetics. The symptoms are a feeling of being hungry, perspiring, feeling shaky and dizzy, a feeling of being light headed, insomnia, mental confusion, speaking problems, anxiousness and a feeling of weakness.
4. Causes of Reactive and Fasting Hypoglycemia
Reactive hypoglycemia causes are uncertain. Causes that aren't considered common, but are considered certain, include gastric surgery and enzyme deficiencies. Fasting hypoglycemia causes are drugs, alcohol, serious illness, a deficiency of hormones, tumors and childhood illnesses.
5. Prevention
Advice from a health care provider and a registered dietitian can greatly help in the prevention of hypoglycemia. These professionals can educate the patient on how medication affects hypoglycemia and on eat. Additional advice on alcohol consumption can also help in the prevention of hypoglycemia.
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