Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar is also called hypoglycemia. It can happen all of a sudden or more slowly. It is most often mild and can be treated. An easy way to treat it is to eat or drink something that is high in sugar such as hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice. If low blood sugar is not treated, it can get worse. Then you may have serious health problems like an inability to think normally. Your doctor will talk to you about what has caused your low blood sugar. Signs of low blood sugar are: Anger Fast heartbeat Nervousness Bad headache Shaking Sweating Feeling tired Confusion The most common causes of low blood sugar in people with diabetes are: Taking insulin or diabetes drugs at the wrong time Taking too much insulin or diabetes drugs by mistake Not eating enough after taking insulin or diabetes drugs Skipping meals Waiting to eat meals Exercising more or at a different time than usual
Name
Low Blood Sugar Discharge Instructions, Adult
About this topic
Low blood sugar is also called hypoglycemia. It can happen all of a sudden or more slowly. It is most often mild and can be treated. An easy way to treat it is to eat or drink something that is high in sugar such as hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice. If low blood sugar is not treated, it can get worse. Then you may have serious health problems like an inability to think normally. Your doctor will talk to you about what has caused your low blood sugar. Signs of low blood sugar are: Anger Fast heartbeat Nervousness Bad headache Shaking Sweating Feeling tired Confusion The most common causes of low blood sugar in people with diabetes are: Taking insulin or diabetes drugs at the wrong time Taking too much insulin or diabetes drugs by mistake Not eating enough after taking insulin or diabetes drugs Skipping meals Waiting to eat meals Exercising more or at a different time than usual
What drugs may be needed?
Replace the sugar in your body
What changes to diet are needed?
Keep juice, hard candy (not sugar-free), honey, corn syrup, glucose tablets, or liquid glucose around to treat low blood sugar. Know how much of these items to eat when you have low blood sugar.,If your blood sugar has not improved in 15 to 20 minutes, repeat your sugar snack.,Return to your normal diet after the low blood sugar is gone.,Do not use chocolate, cookies, or cake to treat low blood sugar. Most of these things have lots of sugar and are high in fat. This makes them slower at raising your blood sugar.,Limit your intake of alcohol.
What problems could happen?
Seizure,Fainting,Coma
When do I need to call the doctor?
Low blood sugar happens again,You cannot fix the low blood sugar,You have a seizure,You pass out,You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Body systems
Adult,Ambulatory Care,Endocrine and Metabolic
What are other common names?
Blood,Diabetes,Hypoglycemia,Insulin Shock,Low Blood Glucose,Low Sugar,Side Effect of Diabetic Medications,Side Effect of Insulin
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This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider’s advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.
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