1. Watch for the Symptoms
Each diabetic will have different symptoms of low blood sugar level. The early symptoms range from anxiety, irritability and confusion. Having dizziness, shaking, disorientation and a pounding heart is common. The symptoms progress to a bad headache, poor coordination, extreme tingling in the body and numbness in the mouth and tongue. A diabetic may pass out during an extreme blood sugar attack or have convulsions or seizures. Recognizing low blood sugar symptoms in diabetics is challenging. The individual may not realize the attack is coming on even if questioned by others.
2. Know the Signs in Children
Treating low blood sugar in diabetic children promptly is especially important. Some children will become sleepy or extremely cranky. Others will be violently belligerent and erratic. Many children will be silly or act like they are drunk, even stumbling or falling down. Any personality change in a child may be a sign that the blood sugar level is too low. Sleeping children might have nightmares or damp clothes and bed sheets. The child may wake up in the morning abnormally tired or confused.
3. Respond Quickly to Low Blood Sugar
Be quick to respond to the first sign of diabetes low blood sugar symptoms. Check the blood glucose level. Take either two or three glucose tablets or one tube of glucose gel. Fruit juice, honey, skim milk or regular sugar on a spoon is effective for raising the level within 15 minutes. If the diabetic has passed out, do not try to give him any food or drink since he could choke. Call 911 and wait. Also, if you suspect you are having a low blood sugar attack while driving, pull over immediately and call for help.
4. Determine What You Ate
If you are trying to discern whether blood sugar is low, think of what they ate that day. Skipped meals are often the cause for a low blood sugar attack. Meals with too many simple sugars, alcohol on an empty stomach and not eating when feeling sick are also causes.
5. Adjust for Menstruation
Before menstruation, estrogen causes the cells to be more insulin sensitive. Blood sugar levels drop more easily during this time if you are giving in to your sugar and carbohydrate cravings. Talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication, insulin or eating habits during this time. Writing down your blood glucose level for a couple of months will give the doctor a better idea of your hormonal fluctuations and how to adjust for your blood sugar target level.
