According to the American Diabetes Association, all diabetics have episodes of hypoglycemia, also known as low blood glucose or blood sugar, at one time or another. Because hypoglycemia is such a common side effect of diabetes, all diabetics should be aware of the symptoms. Diabetics need to recognize hypoglycemia as soon as it starts so they can treat it before symptoms becomes severe. Check your blood sugar and treat as soon as you feel any of the symptoms that indicate hypoglycemia. Diabetic hypoglycemia is also know as an insulin reaction.
Mild Hypoglycemia
The onset of hypoglycemia is usually recognizable by a sudden onset of shakiness, sweatiness and heart pounding, the Joslin Diabetes Center states. You may feel weak, have a headache, feel hungry or be irritable or out of sorts. At this point, take your blood sugar immediately. If it's low, less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), the Joslin Diabetes Center recommends following a 15-15 rule. The first step is to eat or drink something equal to 15 grams of carbohydrate, such as 4 ounces of juice, half a can of soda, or 3 or 4 glucose or dextrose tablets, which all diabetics should carry with them. Wait 15 minutes and check your blood sugar again. Repeat if it's still below 70 mg/dl. If you're not having another meal for an hour or more, eat one more carbohydrate choice as a snack before the meal, or your blood sugar may drop again.
Severe Hypoglycemia
A severe hypoglycemic attack leaves you unable to think for or care for yourself. You may be confused, lethargic or antagonistic, according to Joslin. If left untreated, you may have seizures and lapse into a coma. The treatment for severe hypoglycemia is injectable glucagon, which raises blood glucose, according to the American Diabetes Association. Carry glucagon with you at all times if you're prone to hypoglycemia and instruct family and friends in how to administer glucagon because you will be unable to instruct them if you're severely hypoglycemic. Severe hypoglycemic attacks should be treated at the nearest emergency room, so instruct people to call 911 after giving glucagon if they find you severely hypoglycemic or unconscious.
Hypoglycemia Unawareness
Some long-standing diabetics develop hypoglycemic unawareness, where they don't recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia in time to treat them. Diabetics with this condition can lapse into a coma without any warning signs, says the American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemic unawareness is more common in diabetics who have neuropathy, or nerve damage. People who are under tight glucose control, where blood sugars are kept as close to normal as possible, or those who are on heart or blood pressure medications, are also more likely to develop this condition. A blood glucose reading of 50 mg/dl without any symptoms should always be reported to your doctor because it may be a sign of hypoglycemia unawareness.
