In simple terms, hypoglycemia stands for low blood glucose. As a diabetic, this is something one must be thoroughly careful about. Throughout the day on the basis of a variety of factors the blood glucose level of a diabetic keeps on changing. When your blood glucose levels have fallen low enough that you need to take action to bring them back to your target range, it is hypoglycemia. Usually, when your blood glucose is less than 70 mg/Dl, your condition is hypoglycemic and consulting the doctor right there is vital.What are the ways to be precautious and avoid the condition?
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia –
- Feeling shaky
- Being nervous or anxious
- Feeling weak or sleepy
- Tingling or numbness in the lips, tongue, or cheeks
- A headache
- Sweating, chills and clamminess
- Fast heartbeats
These are some of the symptoms that a diabetic should watch out. In case such symptoms occur, it is best to consult the diabetic care team. The only sure way to know whether you are experiencing low blood glucose is to check your blood glucose, if possible. If you are experiencing symptoms and you are unable to check your blood glucose for any reason, treat the hypoglycemia as soon as you can.
What happens if the blood sugar level continuously drops?
If the blood glucose level continues to drop, the brain does not get enough glucose and stops functioning as it should. This can lead to blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, confused thinking, slurred speech, numbness, and drowsiness. If blood glucose stays low for too long, starving the brain of glucose, it may lead to seizures, coma, and very rarely death.
What causes Hypoglycemia?
Low blood glucose is common for people with type 1 diabetes and can occur in people with type 2 diabetes taking insulin or certain medications.
- Insulin: Too much of insulin can cause low blood sugar level. Moreover, accidentally injecting the wrong type of insulin or injecting directly into the muscles can cause a low blood sugar level.
- Misbalanced diet: An unbalanced diet can surely cause a drop in the blood sugar level. Lack of carbohydrate is the major cause. A diabetic must also take care of how much fat, protein, and fiber are present in the meal.
- Physical activity: It is vital for a diabetic to indulge in physical activity. Exercising for an hour during the day tends to low blood glucose reaction overnight. The intensity, duration, and timing of exercise can all affect the risk of going low.
How to treat hypoglycemia?
Early symptoms can usually be treated by consuming 15 to 20 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate. Fast-acting carbohydrates are foods that are easily converted to sugar in the body, such as glucose tablets or gel, fruit juice, regular — not diet — soft drinks, and sugary candy such as licorice.
Being a diabetic one must keep a keen eye on the blood sugar level all the time. Be observant about the symptoms and keep your diabetic care person in the loop always.