What should I do if I have hypoglycemia with diabetes?

by Specialist

Low blood sugar occurs when the body of a person with diabetes does not have enough sugar to fuel it.

Low blood sugar can occur for several reasons, including diet, certain medications and medical conditions, and exercise.

If you have hypoglycemia, make a note of the date and time it occurred and what you did. And share the record with your doctor so you can adjust your medication.

If you have more than 1 unexplained hypoglycemia in 1 week, seek medical attention.

Symptoms

Most people will notice symptoms of hypoglycemia when their blood glucose is 70 mg/dl or lower.

People with diabetes may have different symptoms of hypoglycemia and should learn to detect them.

Early symptoms include:

  • delirium of consciousness;

  • dizziness;

  • Sensation of shakiness;

  • Hunger;

  • Headache;

  • Irritability;

  • Rapid heartbeat and rapid pulse;

  • Pale skin;

  • Sweating;

  • Tremor;

  • Weakness;

  • Anxiety.

If left untreated, more severe symptoms may occur, including:

  • Poor coordination;

  • Poor attention span;

  • numbness of the mouth and tongue;

  • Fainting;

  • Seizures;

  • Nightmares or nightmares;

  • Coma.

Which diabetes medications are associated with hypoglycemia?

Check with your doctor to see if the medication can cause hypoglycemia.

Insulin therapy can cause hypoglycemia, as can a diabetes medication called a “sulfonylurea.

Commonly used sulfonylureas include:

    Glimepiride

  • Glimepiride;

  • Glipizide;

  • Glibenclamide.

Older and less common sulfonylureas are more likely to cause hypoglycemia than some of the newer sulfonylureas. Older drugs include:

  • Chlorosulfonylurea;

  • Riglitazone;

  • Methanesulfamethoxazole.

Low blood sugar may also occur if alcohol is consumed, or if allopurinol, aspirin, probenecid, or warfarin is used along with diabetes medications.

Along with alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides (such as metformin), and thiazolidinediones, hypoglycemia does not occur if used alone, but may occur when combined with sulfonylureas or insulin.

Diet and hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemic reactions may occur if too much insulin is used when carbohydrates are ingested or consumed.

For example, hypoglycemia may occur in the following situations.

  • After eating a meal that contains a lot of simple sugars;

  • Missing a snack or not eating a full meal;

  • Eating later than usual;

  • drinking only alcohol and not eating any food.

Eat if you have diabetes, especially if you are using diabetes medications.

Treatment

If you have diabetes and think you have hypoglycemia, measure your blood glucose levels.

Does your blood glucose level often drop after eating a meal that contains a lot of sugar? Please change your diet. Avoid sugary foods and eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.

If hypoglycemia occurs when you don’t eat, have a snack before bed, such as protein or a more complex carbohydrate.

The doctor may find that the patient is using too much insulin. In this case, the doctor may lower the insulin dose.

What should I do if I have hypoglycemia?

First, eat or drink 15g of a fast glycemic carbohydrate, for example:

  • 3 to 4 glucose tablets;

  • 1 tube of glucose gel;

  • 4-6 hard candies (with sugar);

  • 1/2 cups (1 cup about 250 ml) of fruit juice;

  • 1 cup skim milk;

  • 1/2 cups of soft drink (with sugar);

  • 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon about 15ml) of honey (put under the tongue, it will be absorbed into the blood stream faster)

The blood glucose level needs to be measured again 15 minutes after eating the sugary food. If blood glucose is still below 70 mg/dl, eat another serving of the food listed above. Keep repeating these steps until your blood sugar becomes normal.

What should I do if I faint?

Low blood sugar can make a person faint, and if this happens, glucagon needs to be given.

Glucagon is a prescription medicine that raises blood sugar, and you may need it if you have severe hypoglycemia. It is important that family and friends know how to give injections when a hypoglycemic reaction occurs.

If you see someone having a severe hypoglycemic reaction, take them to the nearest hospital for treatment. Do not try to feed the unconscious person food, fluids, or give insulin, as this can lead to choking.

Do not drive when you have hypoglycemia

If you are driving and have symptoms of hypoglycemia, pull over, measure your blood sugar and eat sugary foods. Wait at least 15 minutes, measure your blood glucose again, and repeat these steps if necessary. Before driving, eat something rich in protein and carbohydrates, such as peanut butter crackers or cheese crackers.

Be prepared. Keep some source of sugar in your car at all times in case of an emergency.

How can I prevent hypoglycemia?

If you have diabetes, there are several ways to prevent hypoglycemia, including the following.

  • Follow a meal plan.

  • Eat at least 3 evenly spaced meals a day, as prescribed, with snacks in between.

  • Plan meals, with no more than 4-5 hours between meals.

  • Exercise for 30 minutes to 1 hour after meals. Measure your blood sugar before and after your workout and discuss with your doctor what changes you can make.

  • Check the dose of insulin and diabetes medications carefully before use.

  • Eat moderately and monitor blood glucose levels.

  • Know when the effects of your medications are peaking.

  • Measure blood glucose as often as ordered by your doctor.

  • Wear an identification wristband that says, “I am a diabetic.”