Hypoglycemia is a condition of low blood glucose (sugar). It can occur in any child but is more common and more concerning in children with diabetes. Symptoms include shakiness, dizziness, sweating, hunger, headache, irritability, pale skin color, moodiness, clumsiness, confusion and tingling sensations around the mouth. Hypoglycemia can be treated by eating a food that contains a concentrated amount of sugar to raise blood glucose back to a normal level.
Beverages
Diabetic children are usually advised to limit or avoid sugary beverages but when they are hypoglycemic, drinking a beverage that contains natural or added sugars can help. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) this could mean drinking 4 oz. of fruit juice like apple juice, orange juice or grape juice or drinking 4 oz. of regular soda. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says 1 cup of milk can also help treat hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemic children should not drink excessive amounts of juice or soda because too much sugar can cause high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Hyperglycemia is unhealthy for diabetics and can lead to diabetic complications.
Candy
Candy is rich in sugar and may help children when they are hypoglycemic. The ADA says hypoglycemic children can eat 3 Jolly Ranchers or 6 Lifesavers to raise blood glucose. As with beverages, candy should not be consumed in excess because blood glucose that is too high is just as dangerous as blood glucose that is too low.
Other Food
Other foods that are high in sugar and can help a hypoglycemic child include 1 tbsp. of cake frosting or icing or 1 tbsp. of honey or table sugar. According to the Nemours Foundation, hypoglycemic children can also take special tablets or gels that contain glucose when they are hypoglycemic. The Nemours Foundation says once a child ingests some type of sugar, it will take about 10 minutes for symptoms of hypoglycemia to subside. Blood glucose should be checked 10 to 15 minutes after sugar is ingested. If it has not returned to normal and is still low, another small serving of food or beverage should be administered.
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