Jan. 17, 2020 | Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by a very low level of blood sugar, or glucose, the human body’s main source of energy. Carbohydrates, foods such as rice, potatoes, bread, tortillas, cereal, fruit, vegetables and milk, are the body’s main source of glucose. After you eat, glucose is absorbed into your bloodstream, where it travels to your body’s cells. A hormone called insulin, which is made in the pancreas, helps your cells use glucose for energy. If you eat more glucose than you need, your body will store it in your liver and muscles or change it into fat so it can be used for energy when it is needed later. Hypoglycemia is typically related to the treatment of diabetes but there are a variety of conditions that can cause low blood sugar in someone who does not have diabetes. Like a cough or a fever, hypoglycemia is not a disease itself but an indicator of a health problem, a problem that can be very serious if not treated immediately.

Jan. 17, 2020 | There are two kinds of hypoglycemia, a condition caused by low blood sugar levels. Reactive hypoglycemia occurs after eating a meal while fasting hypoglycemia might be linked to a medication or disease. People with diabetes may not make enough insulin or may be less responsive to it. As a result, glucose tends to build up in the bloodstream and may reach dangerously high levels. To correct this problem, someone with diabetes may take insulin or other drugs to lower their blood sugar levels. But too much insulin or other diabetes medications may cause your blood sugar level to drop too low, causing hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia may also happen if you don’t eat as much food as usual after taking diabetes medication, or if you exercise more than you normally would. Drinking heavily without eating can block your liver from releasing stored glucose into your bloodstream, causing hypoglycemia, which can also be cause by severe hepatitis.

Jan. 17, 2020 | The symptoms of hypoglycemia tend to come on very quickly and can vary from person to person. Someone whose blood sugar levels have become too low may have a tingling sensation around the mouth, shakiness or irritability. They may have paler than normal skin and suffer from fatigue or anxiety. As the condition worsens, an individual may become confused or suffer from visual disturbances, such as blurred vision. They may suffer a seizure or even loss of consciousness. People with severe hypoglycemia may appear as if they are intoxicated. They may slur their words and move clumsily. If you display these symptoms and don’t have diabetes, you should seek medical assistance immediately. The initial treatment of hypoglycemia is drinking juice or regular soft drinks, eating candy or taking glucose tablets. If this treatment doesn’t raise your blood sugar and improve your symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor right away.

Jan. 17, 2020 | If you’re diabetic, it’s important to adhere to your management plan and work with your health care team to prevent the condition hypoglycemia. First and foremost, you should know your blood glucose level. This will help determine how much of certain medications you need, what foods to eat and how physically active you should be. To find out your blood glucose level, check yourself with a blood glucose meter as often as your doctor advises. Sometimes people with diabetes don’t feel or recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia, a problem called hypoglycemia unawareness. If you have had hypoglycemia without feeling any symptoms, you may need to check your blood glucose more often so you know when you need to take steps to prevent it. If you have hypoglycemia unawareness or have hypoglycemia often, ask your health care provider about a continuous glucose monitor that can check your glucose level throughout the day and night.

Jan. 17, 2020 | To avoid hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, it’s very important to have a meal plan and to follow it precisely. You should eat regular meals and snacks with the correct amount of carbohydrates to help keep your blood glucose level from going too low. And if you drink alcoholic beverages, it’s best to eat some food at the same time. Physical activity can lower your blood glucose during the activity and for hours afterward. To prevent hypoglycemia, you may need to check your blood glucose before, during, and after physical activity and adjust your medicine or carbohydrate intake. For example, you might eat a snack before being physically active or decrease your insulin dose as directed by your health care provider to keep your blood glucose from dropping too low. Be sure to tell your health care team if you have had hypoglycemia in the past. Your health care team may adjust your diabetes medicines or other aspects of your management plan.