Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, occurs when the level of sugar in the blood (blood glucose level) drops too low to provide enough energy for your body’s activities. Hypoglycemia is uncommon in adults or children older then ten years of age, except as a side effect of Diabetes treatment. It can however result from certain medications, diseases, hormone or enzyme deficiencies and tumors.

Causes and Signs

Hypoglycemia is usually mild and can be easily treated by eating or drinking something with carbohydrates in it. If it is left untreated it can lead to loss of consciousness.

Diabetes patients that take certain glucose-lowering medications can experience hypoglycemia for a number of reasons not limited to:

Meals or snacks that are too small, delayed or missed

Excessive doses of insulin or some diabetes medications including sulfonylureas And meglitinides

Excessive drinking of alcohol

Increased activity or exercise

Due to the nature of hypoglycemia it is often hard to notice its onset. Some signs include (but aren’t limited to):

Hunger

Irritability

Anxiety or weakness

Nervousness and shakiness

Dizziness or light-headedness

Perspiration

Sleepiness

Confusion

Difficulty speaking

Hypoglycemia can also occur in one's sleep, they may:

Find that your pajamas or sheets are damp from perspiration

Cry out or have nightmares

Feel tired, irritable, or confused upon waking

Prevention and Treatment

If you have diabetes you must consider the following to help prevent hypoglycemia:

Your Diabetes Medications: Ask your doctor about your medications, as some can lead to hypoglycemia. Always remember to take your medications and insulin in the recommended doses and times.

Your Meal Plan: Meeting with a registered dietitian to discuss a meal plan that fits into your preferences and lifestyle. Eating regular meals, having enough food at each meal, and not missing meals or snacks can greatly help preventing hypoglycemia.

Your Daily Activity: Talk to your health care team about snacking and/or adjusting medication before beginning an exercise program or participating in a sport. If you will be more active on any given day then your normal routine then you should consider having a snack before becoming active.

Alcoholic Beverages: Drinking alcohol, especially on an empty stomach can cause hypoglycemia. It can even have effects up to two days after consumption. Always have a snack and/or meal when consuming alcohol.

Treatment

Oral Glucose Gel

Oral glucose gel is an over-the-counter medication that consists of mostly dextrose and water. The gel is used to raise dangerously low blood sugar, it may be self-administered or given by someone else in an emergency. Glucose molecules will not absorb directly through oral tissue the gel is either swallowed directly or allowed to stay in the mouth momentarily to allow for rapid conversion into starch before swallowed.

Glucose Gel’s contain 15 grams of glucose, the amount that is recommended by The American Diabetes Association (ADA) for someone with diabetes to carry with them at all times.

The gel is usually found in single-use tubes or packets and is fruit flavored. Common brands include GlucoBurst Glucose Gel (manufactured by PBM Products), Insta-Glucose (Manufactured by Valeant) and Glutose (manufactured by Paddock Labs) as well as several store brands.

External Links

• Hypoglycemia Support Foundation