Hypoglycemia

When your blood sugar falls below 40 mg/dL for females, 55 mg/dl for males, you may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). When this happens, most people experience unpleasant symptoms that can be both physical and emotional. These symptoms can come on quite suddenly. Hypoglycemia is usually easy to treat. However, if it is not dealt with quickly, serious reactions may result, including passing out or having convulsions. Talk with your doctor about what steps to take in case of a low blood sugar emergency, and most importantly, how to avoid one.

***NOTE*** Having no symptoms at all is a dangerous situation! First treat the low blood sugar level, then call your doctor if you ever have a blood sugar reading below 40 mg/dL for females, 55 mg/dl for males, without experiencing symptoms. A blood sugar level this low needs treatment, even if you're feeling fine.

Skipping or delaying meals can cause low blood sugar in people who take sulfonylureas, meglitinide or insulin. These drugs increase the body's insulin level. Unless insulin in the blood is balanced by food, it can cause your blood sugar level to fall too low. Before you drink alcoholic beverages, discuss with your healthcare provider whether moderate use of alcohol may be included in your meal plan.

Prevention

Low blood sugar can be prevented if you eat your meals on time, don't skip meals or snacks, learn to adjust your food and diabetes medicine for exercise, test your blood sugar on schedule and do extra tests when you feel different from normal and write down the results in your log book.

It is important to learn your body's warning signs of falling blood sugar. When you notice symptoms, test your blood and have a snack. Always wear or carry diabetes identification and educate family members, friends or coworkers on symptoms and treatment for low blood sugar.

Treatment of Hypoglycemia

You need to treat low blood sugar right away. It will not get better on its own. So be sure to keep foods that contain sugar or glucose products with you at all times. When you feel your blood sugar might be low, test your blood. If your reading is less than 40 mg/dL for females, 55 mg/dl for males (or the level set by your doctor), take one of the following right away. Each one contains about 15 grams of carbohydrate:

• 3 glucose tablets (5 grams glucose each)
• 1/2 cup of fruit juice or regular soda(not sugar free)
• 6 or 7 hard candies (not sugar free)
• 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar

After eating or drinking something, wait 15 minutes then test your blood sugar again. Record the number in your log book. Also, be sure to write down that you had a low blood sugar reaction. If you don't feel better in 15 minutes, eat something with sugar in it again If your blood sugar is still low, call your doctor's office. If your next meal is more than an hour away, follow the sugar with something that provides carbohydrate and protein (like half a sandwich or some crackers and cheese). Be sure to eat your normal meal at the regular time, even if you have eaten a snack with a high sugar content.