When blood sugar levels gets low, it is called hypoglycemia. It may cause serious damage if not treated immediately. Diabetic patient must know about it and learn to manage it.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia
If the sugar levels drops below 70 mg per deciliter (mg/dL) or lower, patient may experience any of the following symptoms.
With out treatment the condition may get worse and may lead to
What causes hypoglycemia
Diet
It may occur when a snack is missed or a full meal is not taken
After a meal that contain lot of simple sugars
If a meal is taken later than usual
Diabetic drugs that can cause hypoglycemia
Insulin can cause hypoglycemia. Oral hypoglycemic medicines can also cause hypoglycemia. These may include
How to manage
Eat or drink 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate such as
After taking any of the above mentioned measure, recheck blood sugar level. If it is still low, repeat any one of the above mentioned measures.
What if fainting occurs
If fainting occurs someone should immediately inject the glucagon which is used to raise the blood sugar level in severe hypoglycemic conditions. It is important that family member and friend know how to give injection.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia
If the sugar levels drops below 70 mg per deciliter (mg/dL) or lower, patient may experience any of the following symptoms.
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Feeling shaky
- Hunger
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Pounding heart
- Racing pulse
- Pale skin
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Weakness
- Anxiety
- Fainting (loss of consciousness)
With out treatment the condition may get worse and may lead to
- Poor coordination
- Poor concentration
- Numbness in mouth and tongue
- Night mares or bad dreams
- Coma
What causes hypoglycemia
Diet
It may occur when a snack is missed or a full meal is not taken
After a meal that contain lot of simple sugars
If a meal is taken later than usual
Diabetic drugs that can cause hypoglycemia
Insulin can cause hypoglycemia. Oral hypoglycemic medicines can also cause hypoglycemia. These may include
- Glimepiride (Amaryl)
- Glipizide
- Glibenclamide
- Gliclazide
- Tolbutamide
How to manage
Eat or drink 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate such as
- Three or four glucose tablets
- 1/2 cup of fruit juice
- Few pieces of candy (not sugar free)
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 1/2 cup soft drink (not sugar free)
- 1 table spoon honey kept under the tongue so it gets absorbed quickly
After taking any of the above mentioned measure, recheck blood sugar level. If it is still low, repeat any one of the above mentioned measures.
What if fainting occurs
If fainting occurs someone should immediately inject the glucagon which is used to raise the blood sugar level in severe hypoglycemic conditions. It is important that family member and friend know how to give injection.
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