Hypoglycemia is the state of low blood sugar that can occur in diabetics or non-diabetics whenever the blood glucose levels dip too low, lower than normal. Normal blood sugar ranges in diabetics, according to the American Diabetes Association, are 70-130 mg/dl before a meal and anything below 180 mg/dl two hours after a meal. For non-diabetics those numbers go down to 70-99 mg/dl upon waking and 70-140 mg/dl after a meal. Some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia include shaking, confusion, confusion, sleepiness, night sweats, and anxiety.
When a person is in hypoglycemia and is still able to take food and drink by mouth (they aren’t unconsciousness) they can take one of the following termed “quick fix” foods to raise their blood sugar. If they are still low after 15 minutes, they will need another until they have a normal blood sugar range.
- 1 Tablespoon sugar or honey
- 3-4 glucose tablets for low blood sugar
- 5-6 regular hard candies
- ½ cup of fruit juice or soda
- 1 cup milk
Stop trying to get the patient to drink or eat if they lose consciousness as it could be a choking hazard.
When Not to Give Quick Fixes
If the person is slipping into a state of unaware do not give any of the quick fix drinks or food, go right to the glucagon shot. Giving food or drink to someone that is about to lose consciousness may result in choking and other hazards. Check the person’s blood sugar every 15 minutes to make sure that the blood glucose levels are rising.
Preventing Hypoglycemia in Diabetics
There are some things that a diabetic needs to be aware of so that low blood sugars are a rare occurrence. Exercise and activities are one such cause of hypoglycemia. Blood glucose levels should be checked before any activity so that they do not get too low while exercising. They will also need to check it afterwards, or even during if they start to feel “not quite right”.
Another item that is common for hypoglycemia is the diet. Don’t skip meals or skimp on meals, you will need to follow a correct meal plan, preferably one that is done by a dietician or nutritionist that can aid you in what you should be eating/drinking.
Medication is another factor. Some diabetes medications can have the side effect of low blood sugar. If you are one any of those medications you will need to be extra diligent in monitoring your blood glucose levels so that you can tell in advance of symptoms if you are starting to drop too low.
Alcohol is a contributor to low blood sugar. It can even wreck your blood sugar 48 hours later. Always eat if you must drink, but realize that alcohol is really frowned upon in a diabetic’s usage. Alcohol is especially difficult in those that are on insulin and medications as well
