Signs of Low Blood Sugar Levels
Hypoglycemia, a condition characterized by low blood sugar levels, can affect both those with and without diabetes. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods for hypoglycemia.
For those with diabetes, quickly raising blood sugar levels can be achieved through various means. These include consuming hard candies, non-diet soda or juice, honey or table sugar, jelly beans or gumdrops, fresh or dried fruit, and glucose tablets.
However, hypoglycemia isn't exclusive to those with diabetes. Certain medications, medical conditions, tumors, severe illnesses, endocrine disorders, anorexia nervosa, and hepatitis or kidney disorders can also cause low blood sugar. In some cases, hypoglycemia may occur due to rapid insulin secretion triggered by consumption of large amounts of quickly absorbed carbohydrates, even in those without diabetes.
The doctor will use three criteria to diagnose low blood sugar: signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, documentation of low blood sugar when your signs and symptoms occur, and disappearance of the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL.
Treatment for hypoglycemia involves consuming 15 grams of easily digestible carbohydrates. This could be in the form of a glucose tablet, a hard candy, or a glass of juice. It's important to determine how many grams of carbs are in each glucose tablet before taking them. After eating or taking a glucose tablet, wait 15 minutes and check your blood sugar again. If it's not above 70 mg/dL, repeat the process.
If you have diabetes and experience low blood sugar levels often, it's important to make an appointment with a doctor. If you or someone else with diabetes is experiencing severe symptoms, such as loss of consciousness, it's important to administer a medication called glucagon and contact local emergency services immediately. A doctor may recommend a glucagon kit for people at risk for low blood sugar.
Prevention methods include checking your blood sugar often, snacking wisely, fueling your body during exercise, following guidance around medications, and discussing any changes to your diet with your primary care physician. If you have hypoglycemia unawareness, you may need to check your blood sugar levels more regularly.
Reactive hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar after eating a meal, may occur due to a change in diet. To manage this problem, it's recommended to have consistent and frequent meals and snacks every 3-4 hours that are a mix of high fiber carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
Mildly low blood sugar levels are common for people with diabetes, but severely low blood sugar levels can be life threatening, with complications including seizures, nervous system damage, loss of consciousness, and death.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include pale skin, fatigue, hunger, shaking, sweating, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, mood changes, irritability or anxiety, headache, difficulty sleeping, skin tingling, blurry vision, trouble thinking clearly or concentrating, loss of consciousness, seizure, or coma.
It's important to check your blood sugar right away if you suspect you have low blood sugar. A healthy blood sugar range is determined based on factors such as the type of diabetes, how long you've had diabetes, your age, and whether you have any other chronic health conditions.
Emergency responders can be better equipped to care for you if you wear a medical identification bracelet. Avoid overeating when treating hypoglycemia, as it could lead to blood sugar levels that are too high.
The American Diabetes Association recommends consuming at least 15 g of carbohydrates to treat hypoglycemia. To perform a blood sugar test, you will need to prick your finger with a lancet and put a small sample of blood from this onto a strip inserted into the blood glucose meter.
By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of hypoglycemia, you can better manage this condition and maintain optimal health.
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