Having hypoglycemia means that your blood sugar level, also referred to as your glucose level, is too low, MayoClinic.com states. While this state is commonly associated with people with diabetes, it is possible, though rare, for people who do not have diabetes to develop hypoglycemia. It is essential that you do not ignore the signs of hypoglycemia because, if left untreated for too long, this condition can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness and even death because your brain needs an adequate supply of glucose to function.
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
If you are experiencing shakiness, dizziness, sweating, hunger or headache and your skin has gone pale or you experience sudden behavior changes or changes in mood, such as crying for no apparent reason, there is a good chance that you are experiencing hypoglycemia, the American Diabetic Association states. Other symptoms are being clumsy or moving in a jerky manner, having difficulty paying attention or feeling confused, or feeling tingling sensations around the mouth area. Experiencing a seizure is another strong sign that you may be experiencing hypoglycemia. Whenever you feel any of these symptoms coming on, it is urgent that you check you blood sugar level and consult a doctor.
Dosage
Treating hypoglycemia entails raising your blood sugar quickly. Glucose tablets are a convenient and quick source of glucose in such a situation and are easily available in any drug store, the American Diabetic Association states. You need to take from 15 g to 20 g of carbohydrate in order to raise your blood sugar and since the amount of carbohydrates in one glucose tablet can vary from brand to brand, always check the Nutrition Facts label of your glucose tablets for the amount of carbohydrates in one tablet. When you have determined that, calculate how many glucose tablets you will need to take to get the 15 g to 20 g of carbohydrates you need. Most glucose tablets typically have 4 g to 5 g of carbohydrates per tablet, which means that you will need to take around three or four tablets at a time to treat hypoglycemia.
Other Sources of Carbohydrates
It is a good idea to have your health-care professional or dietitian draw up a list of foods that you can keep on hand to treat low blood sugar. Foods such as half a cup of regular soda or juice, two tablespoons of raisins, four or five saltine crackers, four teaspoons of sugar or one tablespoon of honey or corn syrup all contain 15 grams of carbohydrates, American Diabetes Association recommends. Always be sure to have at least one of these sources of carbohydrates within easy reach. Take note that foods that have a lot of fat in addition to sugars and carbohydrates such as chocolates or cookies do not work as quickly to raise blood glucose levels.
Causes
If you are diabetic and you take too much insulin or you take your diabetes medication and you don't eat as much as usual, or if you exercise or exert yourself more than usual, you may develop hypoglycemia. If you don't have diabetes, you may still develop hypoglycemia if you take certain medications such as quinine, which is used to treat leg cramps and malaria, MayoClinic.com states. Drinking too much alcohol on an empty stomach may prevent your liver from releasing glucose, which could result in hypoglycemia, as can certain critical illnesses such as kidney, liver or eating disorders. Tumors in your pancreas can also cause hypoglycemia and certain endocrine disorders.
