Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in diabetics can be extremely dangerous. But, diabetics can protect themselves by recognizing the symptoms & knowing what to do.
Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Sugar is a medical emergency, and generally affects people with diabetes. It develops due to the short supply of glucose in your body to be used as fuel for cells.
Causes of Hypoglycemia:
Insulin is a pancreatic hormone, which metabolizes the blood sugars & converts it to glucose for energy needs of the cells. In healthy individuals, Pancreas regulates the amount of insulin needed & releases the right amount proportionate to the blood sugar.
But in diabetics, the natural insulin production & regulation is insufficient,
ineffective or non-existent. So, insulin users have to ensure a balance between
amount of insulin injected & carbohydrates intake.
If the blood sugar is insufficient for the insulin to metabolize, it over-draws
the sugars from blood flow, thereby reducing sugar levels to much lower than
the desired threshold, causing hypoglycemia.
Likewise, if more than desired amount of Insulin is injected into the
blood stream, and there is not enough blood sugar to process & send to the
cells, it causes hypoglycemia.
Insulin users are
more at risk compared to those on other types of treatments. But, many other blood
sugar lowering drugs too can cause Hypoglycemia. So, if you are on any
medication to lower the blood sugar, seek advice
from your doctor about the risk of hypoglycemia.
Over use of alcohol can also result in low blood
sugar. Other factors responsible for
Hypoglycemia can be poor diet, hormonal changes, metabolic disorders and
certain other medical conditions, which cause the sugar levels to drop.
Generally, diabetics are so
engrossed in lowering the blood sugar, that hypoglycemia does not even cross
their minds. So, it is important to be aware of the symptoms & what to do
when it occurs.
Symptoms:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Sudden hunger
- Going pale
- Sudden irritability/moodiness
- confusion & clumsiness
- Passing out & seizures.
What to do to get out of Hypoglycemia?
Immediate
supply of easy to metabolize glucose/simple carbs is the best way to get out of
Hypoglycemia. So, anyone at the risk of low blood sugar must be prepared at all
times. You must carry glucose supplements, hard candies etc. with you at all
times.
Glucose
tablets are the most effective in hypoglycemia, as they are designed
specifically to heighten the blood sugar levels quickly.
Rule of 15 for treating hypoglycemia: It suggests that if
your blood sugar falls below 70mg/dl, consume 15 grams of carbohydrates and
check your blood sugar in 15 minutes.
If your blood sugar is still below 70
mg/dL after 15 minutes, take another 15 grams of carbohydrates, and check your blood sugar again in another 15
minutes. Repeat as needed until your blood sugar is back to your target range.
You can also carry
pre-packaged snacks that satisfy the rule of 15, which means they deliver the
needed 15 grams of carbs in a way that can raise blood sugar quickly enough.
These include:
- 4
ounces of juice (apple or orange)
- 4
ounces of regular soda
- 1
tablespoon of frosting
- 3 hard candies
No Chocolates: Chocolates too are rich in sugars, but due to the high fat content,
they metabolize slowly. So, they are not the ideal source to boost the blood
sugar levels.
Hypoglycemia Safety:
Despite being prepared to tackle hypoglycemia & carrying the recommended glucose/sugar replacements, there may be episodes of hypoglycemia that are so sudden that you don’t get time to respond. People often instantaneously pass out or collapse without feeling any symptoms. To be prepared for such a situation, you should:
- Keep a card in your pockets/wallets describing your medical condition, insulin dependence and the possibility of hypoglycemia
It's especially important for people with diabetes who live alone to make sure someone knows about their risk.
After
recovering from low blood sugar, you must analyze and identify the reason for
the drop in your sugar level. You can also seek the opinion of your doctor to
know what went wrong. This can help you in avoiding another episode of
Hypoglycemia in future due to similar reasons.
An initiative by the medical team at: www.echemist.in
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