Learn the symptoms for and ways to treat low blood sugar
Image: dolgachov/iStock
Hypoglycemia is a potentially dangerous condition wherein blood sugar falls too low. Too much exercise, too little food or carbohydrates, a missed or delayed meal, or a mix of those aspects can bring on hypoglycemia. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the response, but commonly include
- nervousness
- sweating
- feeling cold and clammy
- trembling or shakiness
- rapid heartbeat
- lightheadedness
- hunger
- irritability.
If early symptoms aren't recognized and treated quickly, blood sugar levels may proceed to fall, leading to
- Drowsiness
- weakness
- Blurred vision
- slurred speech
- confusion
- clumsiness
- Personality change or strange behavior comparable to belligerence or silliness.
At its worst, hypoglycemia could cause seizures or coma.
Most individuals with type 2 diabetes don't must worry about hypoglycemia. It may, nevertheless, occur in those that use insulin or take a diabetes medication often called a sulfonylurea. Changes in eating habits, comparable to weight-reduction plan—especially if carbohydrates are reduced—or increased exercise can result in hypoglycemia. Talk along with your doctor before making any changes in your weight loss program or increasing your exercise.
The 15/15 Rule to treat a low blood sugar
Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of hypoglycemia, in order that if it occurs, you'll be able to take steps to treat it appropriately and forestall the issue from recurring.
If you're thinking that you're having an episode of low blood sugar, don't ignore your symptoms. If possible, test your blood sugar with a finger-stick test. If it's low, follow the 15/15 rule. Eat 15 grams of carbohydrate and wait quarter-hour. Here are some foods that may provide about 15 grams of carbohydrate to lower blood sugar:
- Eat three glucose tablets or 4 dextrose tablets
- Drink 4 to six ounces of fruit juice
- Drink 5 to six ounces (about half a can) of standard soda, comparable to Coke or Pepsi
- eat five to seven Life Savers
- eat 2 tablespoons of raisins
- eat six jelly beans.
Don't eat foods containing chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, or fats. Fat slows the body's absorption of carbohydrates, so foods with fat won't raise your blood sugar quickly enough. After the carbohydrate is eaten, wait about quarter-hour for the sugar to get into your blood. If you don't feel higher inside quarter-hour, more carbohydrate might be consumed. Your blood sugar must be checked to be certain it has come inside a protected range.