Hypoglycemia is also called low blood sugar, insulin reaction or insulin shock. They all have the same meaining--the level of sugar in the blood is too low.

• Taking too much insulin or oral medication.
• Not eating enough food or delaying meals.
• Doing more exercise than usual.

Onset

Sudden.

Signs and Symptoms

Shaking

Sweating

Nervousness

Hunger

Dizziness

Faintness

Headache

Blurred vision

Personality change

Confused thinking

Impatience

Crankiness

Pounding heart

Numbness of lips and tongue

Convulsions

Unconciousness

Immediately take a fast-sugar food. If you don't feel better in about ten minutes, repeat the same amount of sugar.

If unconcious and your doctor has prescribed the use of glucagon, this may be injected by someone else instructed in it's use.

If no response, you must be taken to the hospital for administration of intravenous glucose (glucose directly in a vein).

Prevention

Do not skip or delay meals. Be sure to take your between-meal snacks if in your diet plan.

If on insulin, measure insulin accurately and inject properly.

If on oral hypoglycemic, take only the dosage of oral medication your doctor has ordered.

Get about the same amount of exercise daily. Take a snack prior to extra exercise.

If your medication requirements decrease for some reason, such as with weight loss, contact your doctor for adjustments in your treatment plan.

Your Reaction

You will need to "get to know" your low blood sugar reaction. You may only have a few of the signs and symptoms listed or you may have others. People respond to low blood sugar differently, and, there may be differences depending on how rapidly the sugar drops. Generally speaking though, your reactions will be similar whenever you have one.

At the first sign of a reaction, treat it. Do not wait for all of the symptoms to develop--it may be too late. Your brain and nervous system must have glucose all of the time to function properly. If the blood glucose falls too low the brain begins to suffer.

Remember

Always carry a fast-sugar food with you, in the event a reaction does occur. Always carry your diabetic identification.

Fast Sugar Foods

Following is a chart of some foods that contain sugar in a form that goes into the bloodstream rapidly. Any of these may be used to treat a hypoglycemic reaction. Treatment of hypoglycemic reactions is equal to the amount of sugar in a fruit exchange.

Regular Pop (1/2 cup)

 

Orange Juice (1/2 cup)

Hard Candy

Life Savers

Candy Bar, etc.

Syrup or Honey

(2 teaspoons)

Sugar (2 large cubes or

2 packets)

Commercial Products

There are also commercial products available at most drug stores that can be used to treat hypoglycemic reactions "glutose" and " insta-glucose," for example. These preparations can be carried with you if desired instead of other fast-sugar foods. Be sure to read the directions carefully for information regarding the amount to be taken.