Hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia) may seem like an excuse to eat candy, but for people with diabetes it is far from enjoying it. Hypoglycemia disrupts daily activities, causing dangerous situations like driving, causing unstable and panic.
This article covers the symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention of hypoglycemia.
What is hypoglycemia?
In people without diabetes, blood glucose levels rarely fall below 70 mg/dL.
When they do so, the body begins to wrestle even basic functions. The brain relies on a constant supply of glucose for both physical and mental processes and can be quickly impaired.
If left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause severe complications, including seizures and death.
read more: What is normal blood sugar? and Blood glucose level: Targets for blood glucose level and A1C.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia?
There are some important signs that your blood sugar levels have fallen below safe levels. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the following are the lower symptoms:
- Feeling unstable
- Tension and anxiety
- Sweat, chills, rather
- Irritated or anxious
- confusion
- Fast Heartbeat
- Light head stops dizzy
- Hungry
- nausea
- pall (color expelled from the skin)
- Sleepiness
- Weakness or lack of energy
- Vision impairment or impairment
- Twitching and numbness on the lips, tongue, or cheeks
- headache
- Clumsiness or adjustment issues
- Nightmares and screams while sleeping
- Crucifixion
You may also experience other unique symptoms. For example, if blood sugar levels drop during exercise, your thighs become paralyzed and become a butterfly. It is important to recognize early signs of hypoglycemia. That way you can get treatment right away.
Recognition of hypoglycemia
For some people, especially those with long-term diabetes, “recognition of hypoglycemia” can occur. This occurs when your body no longer knows hypoglycemia, increasing the risk of severe low blood sugar and seizures.
According to the ADA, avoiding hypoglycemia for several weeks can help you recover early warning symptoms of hypoglycemia. This may require a temporary increase in blood glucose targets. This should be discussed with the healthcare team.
Consider using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to manage hypoglycemia recognition. This can warn you of hypoglycemia before it becomes dangerous.
Additionally, raising the target’s blood glucose level slightly, such as targeting 100-110 mg/dl instead of 90 mg/dL, can reduce the risk of severe lowness.
For more information about this situation, see below. Understanding the perception of hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia when you are not actually low…
For diabetic patients or people dealing with diabetes who have consistently high blood sugar levels (A1c above 8%), the body can adapt to these higher levels. When blood sugar begins to fall into healthier ranges, it can cause false symptoms of hypoglycemia.
It takes time to reverse this problem. If you are dealing with Diabulimia, contact our healthcare team for support.
Working with certified diabetes care and education specialists (CDCEs) we will gradually lower blood sugar levels to help your body adapt to healthier levels without causing false lows.
What is the low blood sugar level?
In people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, this is usually caused by imbalances in food, activity, insulin or other diabetic medications.
Exercise without adjusting insulin or carbohydrates
Activities such as walking after meals can cause a severe drop in blood glucose levels if insulin is not regulated, as the body burns faster.
Inaccurate carbohydrate administration
You may misunderstand the insulin you need in your diet, such as with moderate apple administration, but you need less, which can easily lead to hypoglycemia.
Tip: Use tools like the following Calories King Recheck your carb count.
Weight loss increases insulin sensitivity
Losing just 5 pounds will make your body more sensitive to insulin and often lower.
Tip: Consult CDCE about basal and carbohydrate ratio tests.
Changes in insulin needs
Factors such as stress, activity, and weight changes can all affect your insulin requirements over time.
Tight blood glucose targets
Aiming for non-diabetic glucose levels increases the risk of frequent drops, as even small amounts of insulin and activity can cause sudden drops.
Tip: If you are experiencing a low minimum, check your insulin dose for diet and correction to prevent recurrent hypoglycemia.
Read more about adjusting your insulin dose, weight loss, and exercise in the following article.
Tips for treating hypoglycemia
The “15 Rules” or “15-15 Rules” (eat 15 minutes of carbohydrates and check your blood sugar levels after 15 minutes) are general guidelines, but managing hypoglycemia in real life can be more subtle.
I have a glucagon kit
If someone can’t eat, or unconsciously, the glucagon kit can save lives.
Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels by countering insulin. Both injectable spray foam and nasal spray are available.
Make sure your prescription is up to date, store the kit in an accessible location, and see where it is and how it will be used by others.
If glucagon is not available, or if attendees don’t know how to manage it, they should call 911 immediately.
Please wear a medical ID
People with diabetes, especially those who use insulin, should always carry a medical ID.
In emergencies such as severe hypoglycemia or accidents, medical IDs provide important information such as diabetes status, insulin use, and allergies.
Emergency personnel are trained to look for these IDs if people are unable to communicate.
Medical IDs are usually worn as bracelets or necklaces, allowing you to engrave major health details, and now they provide a USB drive to store your full medical record.
Uses rapidly acting carbohydrates
Avoid slow digestion foods like chocolate bars. Instead, choose quick absorbent carbohydrates such as glucose tabs, gummy candies, juices, or honey to quickly raise your blood sugar.
For more information: How to deal with low prices as quickly as possible.
Treat with 5-15 grams of carbohydrates
For mildly low levels (approximately 65 mg/dL), 5 grams is sufficient. More severe lower levels (55 mg/dL and drops) may require 15 grams or more depending on your insulin level. Be patient – check your meter before eating more to avoid treatment.
read more: What is considered hypoglycemia?
Store carbohydrates that act quickly everywhere
Refill fast carbs in places like nightstands, wallets, cars or offices to ensure you are always ready, especially at extreme temperatures where some food can spoil.
Avoid binging
It is common to eat too much during low temperatures, but this can cause glucose spikes, guilt, and the need for more insulin, which can lead to another low. Recognise this cycle from my book “Emotional Diet with Diabetes” and focus on healthier, lower treatments.
Navigate the complexities of hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia can be a real challenge. For those taking insulin and other glucose-lowering medications, they are often an inevitable part of diabetes management.
The best approach is to identify areas of adjustment and to prevent low levels, carbohydrates that always act quickly.
Was this article helpful? (Yes) or click “No” to let us know!
