Low Blood Sugar or Low Glucose is called Hypoglycemia. You experience this when there is too much insulin and too little glucose in your blood. If your blood glucose level drops too low—it could result in unconsciousness, a condition sometimes called insulin shock or coma.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia which is also called an insulin reaction, is most common among people taking insulin. People that take oral meds that enhance the release of insulin are also at risk of hypoglycemia. You can experience Low Blood Sugar for many reasons:
- Skipping or delaying a meal
- Not eating enough carbohydrates
- Exercising longer than normal
- Having too much insulin from not adjusting your medication when you experience changes in your blood glucose.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Early Signs and Symptoms
- Sweating
- Weakness
- Shakiness
- Hunger
- Visual Disturbances
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fast Heartbeat
- Cold Clammy Skin
Later Signs and Symptoms
- Slurred Speech
- Drowsiness
- Drunk Like Behavior (Cop miss this one all the time)
- Confusion
Emergency Signs and Symptoms
- Convulsions
- Unconsciousness (coma) could be fatal
What Should You Do?
As soon as you suspect that your blood glucose is low, check your glucose level. If it is below 70mg/dL, eat or drink something that will raise your level quickly.
Good Examples:
- Hard Candy..equal to 5 Life Savers
- A regular (not diet) soft drink
- Half a cup of fruit juice
- Glucose tablets (nonprescription pills made especially for treating low blood glucose)
If after about 15 minutes you continue to experience symptom, repeat the treatment. If they still don’t go away, contact your doctor or call for emergency assistance.
If you lose consciousness or for some other reason can’t swallow, you’ll need an injection of glucagon, a fast acting hormone that simulates the release of glucose into your blood. Teach your close friends and family members how to give you the shot in case of an emergency.
Also tell them to call 911 if you don’t regain consciousness quickly.
Glucose Emergency Kit
A glucose emergency kit includes the medication and a syringe. The shot is easy to administer and is normally given in the arm, butt, thigh or the abdomen. The medication starts to act in about 5 minutes. If you take insulin, you should have a glucagon kit with or near you at all times. It would be a good idea to have a few kits. You can keep one in your car, at home, at work, and in your purse or sports bag.
What is Hyperglycemia
The medical term for high blood glucose—blood sugar that is above normal is Hyperglycemia. Whether you have prediabetes or diabetes, you have hyperglycemia. The key is to make sure that your blood glucose doesn’t get out of control. If you have diabetes, regularly testing your blood glucose and keeping it in the target range that your doctor recommends can help prevent serious hyperglycemia. If hyperglycemia isn’t dealt with early, it can lead to life threatening problems, such as hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
You need to take Low Blood Sugar and Hypoglycemia as a serous problem…Because it is.
This website is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional or medical advice.
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