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Hypoglycemia – The Basics You Need to Know
By: Michele Seifert, Rite Aid Drug Information Specialist
Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when blood glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL. This drop in blood glucose levels may be caused by various factors such as:
- Skipping meals
- Taking too much medication or insulin
- Exercising
- Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach
- Changes in your schedule
It is important for everyone with diabetes to understand the importance of preventing hypoglycemia as well as to be able to recognize the symptoms and know how to treat the condition appropriately.
Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
- Shakiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hunger
- Sweating
- Fast or pounding heart
- Fatigue
- Inability to concentrate
- Paleness
- Fainting
- Weakness
- Behavior changes or sudden moodiness
- Clumsy or jerky movements
- Blurred vision
- Tingling sensations around the mouth
In cases of extremely low blood glucose levels, more severe symptoms are possible such as:
- Slurred speech
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Combativeness
- Passing out
Preventing hypoglycemia is very important to avoid potentially serious complications. Prevention consists of eating meals and snacks on a regular schedule, as well as testing blood glucose levels frequently. Your doctor or diabetes educator can determine an appropriate testing schedule for you. The following tips can also help keep your blood sugar levels in check:
- Take your medication or insulin at its prescribed dosage, unless otherwise directed by your doctor..
- Monitor blood glucose levels to determine the effects of exercise. This can help you judge whether a snack is needed prior to or during exercise.
- Limit alcoholic beverages and make sure to eat if you do consume these drinks.
It is possible to experience hypoglycemia without exhibiting any symptoms to warn you. This can occur if you have had diabetes for a long time or if you are taking medications that can hide the warning symptoms. Frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels can help detect hypoglycemia when there are no symptoms.
It is very important to treat hypoglycemia as soon as it is detected. If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia but are unable to test your blood glucose level, it is best to treat to avoid the condition getting worse. To treat hypoglycemia*, a quick source of sugar should be eaten that is equal to 15 grams of carbohydrates. Examples of these sugar sources include:
- 3-4 glucose tablets
- 5 chewed lifesavers
- 1 box or 2 tablespoons of raisins
- 1 cup of low-fat milk
- 6 jelly beans
- ½ cup of regular non-diet soda
- 3 packets of 1 tablespoon of sugar
- ½ cup of orange or apple juice
- 1 & ½ tubes of glucose paste
*Please note that if you take the medications miglitol (Glyset®) or acarbose (Precose®), only milk or glucose tablets will work to treat an episode of hypoglycemia.
After eating one serving of the quick sugar source, check your blood glucose level 15 minutes later. If your level is still less than 70 mg/dL, you should eat another serving of sugar. If your next meal is not going to be within the next 2 hours, you should eat a more significant snack such as crackers with peanut butter or cheese, or half a sandwich to avoid your blood glucose level from dropping again.
In severe cases, it is possible for you to lose consciousness. If this occurs, it will be necessary to have a glucagon injection or be taken to the emergency room for treatment. That is why it is important for family, friends, and co-workers to know how to treat hypoglycemia in case you are unable to treat yourself. If you use insulin to control your diabetes, you should speak with your doctor to discuss obtaining a prescription to purchase a glucagon emergency kit to have on hand in case it is needed.
Talk to your doctor and diabetes care team about hypoglycemia and an appropriate action plan for you. Your Rite Aid pharmacist or diabetes specialist is always willing to help answer your questions as well. By monitoring your blood glucose levels and eating regularly, you can prevent hypoglycemia. However, if hypoglycemia does occur, knowing how to recognize the warning signs and how to treat it appropriately will aid you in resolving this condition quickly and prevent complications from occurring.
