What is low blood sugar?
Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. It occurs when the level of sugar, or glucose, in the blood drops too low to fuel the body. The two main types of low blood sugar are fasting and nonfasting.
Fasting low blood sugar occurs when you have not eaten for many hours, such as overnight. Nonfasting low blood sugar develops within 3 to 4 hours after eating. Patients being treated for diabetes are particularly at risk for hypoglycemia.
What are symptoms of low blood sugar?
The symptoms of low blood sugar may vary with each episode. Mild hypoglycemia can cause nausea, a jittery or nervous feeling, cold and clammy skin and a rapid heartbeat.
Moderate hypoglycemia often makes you:
- Irritable
- Anxious
- Confused
- Have blurred vision
- Feel unsteady
- Have difficulty walking
Severe hypoglycemia can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma and may be fatal.
What should be done in a low blood sugar emergency?
It is important to know what to do in an emergency when you have low blood sugar. Emergency care for mild to moderate low blood sugar includes consuming some kind of quick-sugar food, such as drinking ½ can of fruit juice or soda or taking 4 teaspoons of sugar.
If someone is showing severe symptoms of low blood sugar, call 911 immediately.
Can hypoglycemia be prevented?
Eating small, frequent meals with complex carbohydrates, fiber and fat while avoiding simple sugars, alcohol and fruit juice may help to prevent further hypoglycemic episodes.
|
