How to Treat Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia is a condition usually experienced by diabetics but it’s also possible to experience it without being a diabetic yourself. For diabetics, low blood sugar can be caused by if you’re taking too much insulin or diabetes medication. For people who aren’t diabetic, low blood sugar is usually caused by skipping meals, not eating enough, getting too much exercise than usual and drinking too much alcohol on an empty stomach. Low blood sugar can also be caused by taking antidepressants, problems from stomach surgery, metabolism and problems in the liver, kidneys, pancreas, adrenal glands and other organs. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and the proper treatment of low blood sugar.
Symptoms
How do you know if you’re experiencing low blood sugar or hypoglycemia? There are three levels of hypoglycemia, mild hypoglycemia, moderate hypoglycemia and severe hypoglycemia. Here are their accompanying symptoms.
Mild Hypoglycemia
Symptoms for mild hypoglycemia include hunger, nausea, nervousness, increased heart rate, increased sweating and clammy skin.
Moderate Hypoglycemia
Symptoms for severe hypoglycemia include short temper, nervousness and confusion. Your vision may also blur and you may have some difficulty walking.
Severe Hypoglycemia
Severe hypoglycemia can cause you to have seizures and can cause you to pass out. Sever hypoglycemia is very serious, and it can cause you to go to a coma or even death.
Should you fall under the category of someone who will suffer from hypoglycemia, have your blood sugar levels looked at. However rare, severe hypoglycemia can lead to accidents, seizures or even death.
Diagnosis
To get a diagnosis if you really are suffering from hypoglycemia, you will have to undergo a physical exam that will check your blood sugar levels. Your doctor will also ask you questions about your health history, your current health and whether you have lost or gained weight.
A blood glucose test will be run to determine if your blood sugar levels are in healthy levels. This will only entail taking a blood sample from you to be tested.
Treatment
If you’ve determined that you have hypoglycemia and that you are prone to attacks of low blood sugar, whether by checking your blood sugar levels or feeling the symptoms, there are several ways for you to treat it. Here’s how.
When you start feeling the effects of hypoglycemia setting in, make sure that you have some quick-sugar food at hand. These include:
Three glucose tablets, typically available without prescription in any drugstore
Four ounces, fruit juice
Six ounces of regular soda
One tablespoon sugar or jelly
Five to six pieces of hard candy
One cup fat-free milk
One tablespoon honey
Two tablespoons jam
1/2 tube glucose gel
Any of the items mentioned above with their corresponding measurements can raise your blood sugar levels to at least 30 milligrams per deciliter in 15 to 20 minutes. If you’re still feeling the symptoms, drink another dosage of any of the recommended food.
Long Term Treatment
The best way to avoid hypoglycemic attacks depend on your overall lifestyle. These include:
Modifying your diet and having meal plans to moderate the types of food that you eat.
Monitor the impact of your exercise and how often you exercise.
Keeping a diary of what you ate to monitor food that may contribute to hypoglycemic attacks. You can also journal the typical symptoms that you experience.
It would also help if you wear a bracelet that would identify you as a hypoglycemic. That way, if you are caught in a hypoglycemic attack in public, the people around you will help identify the cause of the problem and help you get the proper treatment as soon as possible.