What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, occurs when there is not enough glucose available in the blood to keep up with the body’s needs. Hypoglycemia typically occurs in people with diabetes who take certain medications to keep their blood glucose levels in control. It can also occur in people who do not have diabetes. Gastric Bypass (stomach) surgery, for instance, can cause hypoglycemia because of the rapid passage of food into the small intestine. Also, rare enzyme deficiencies diagnosed early in life, such as hereditary fructose intolerance, may cause reactive hypoglycemia. Certain medications, alcohol, critical illnesses, hormonal deficiencies, some kinds of tumors, and certain conditions occurring in infancy and childhood can cause fasting hypoglycemia.
Usually, a blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL is considered hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a serious problem that must be treated right away. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself – and those who care for you – about hypoglycemia and what to do if it happens.
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Treat, but don’t over-treat! It’s easy to over-treat low blood sugar episodes. You will likely feel anxious and want your symptoms to disappear as soon as possible. However, if you eat or drink too much, your blood sugar can get too high. What’s more, regularly over-treating a low may make managing your weight more difficult. Dex4 glucose products are pre-measured to help you avoid over treatment.
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Low blood sugar can be caused by:
How do you recognize hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia symptoms for people with diabetes and those without are similar. Most people experience unpleasant symptoms that can be both physical and emotional. By learning to recognize the warning signs of hypoglycemia, you will be better able to take necessary steps to raise your blood sugar to a safe level. These symptoms can come on quite suddenly. If you can’t test, treat for hypoglycemia anyway rather than wait.
Common warning signs include:
Some people may not feel any signs of hypoglycemia before they have a problem. This is
referred to as hypoglycemia unawareness. Be sure to regularly check your blood sugar levels.
How do you treat hypoglycemia?
If you are experiencing any of the low blood glucose warning signs, test your blood sugar. If the result is below 70 mg/dL then treat with 12g - 16g of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as Dex4 glucose. Wait 15 minutes and then check your blood glucose again. If it is still low, treat again. Try not to be active until your blood glucose level is above 100 mg/dL. If you do not have access to a blood glucose meter but have symptoms of hypoglycemia it is better to treat for hypoglycemia as low blood sugar can progress to a more serious stage of hypoglycemia that could result in unconsciousness, or even coma. For severe hypoglycemia, an emergency glucagon kit is needed to bring blood glucose levels up.
How do you prevent hypoglycemia?
Low blood sugar can be prevented if you:
