low blood sugar overview

8/13/2019 Low Blood Sugar Overview

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People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol, are tired, or who take a beta-blocker (commonly used tocontrol high blood pressure) may not notice their low blood sugar symptoms, or may not recognize thatthe symptoms are due to low blood sugar.

Hypoglycemia unawareness can also occur in people who take certain oral diabetes medications (eg,Micronase [glyburide ]), especially in elderly people with heart or kidney disease.

Nocturnal hypoglycemia Low blood sugar that occurs when you are sleeping (nocturnalhypoglycemia) can disrupt sleep but often goes unrecognized. Nocturnal hypoglycemia is a form ofhypoglycemia unawareness. Thus, if you have nocturnal hypoglycemia, you are less likely to havesymptoms that alert you to the need for treatment. Nocturnal hypoglycemia can be difficult to diagnose,and can increase the risk of hypoglycemia unawareness in the 48 to 72 hours that follow.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR PREVENTION The best way to prevent low blood sugar is to monitor yourblood sugar levels frequently and be prepared to treat it promptly at all times. You and a close friend orrelative need to learn the symptoms and should always carry glucose tablets, hard candy, or othersources of fast-acting carbohydrate.

Glucose tablets are recommended since they have a pleasant taste, but you are not likely to eat themunless your blood sugar is low. Candy can be tempting to eat, even when blood sugar levels are normal,especially for children with diabetes.

Low blood sugar can be frightening and unpleasant, and it is common to be fearful of future episodes.This may lead you to keep your blood sugar level high, which can lead to long-term complications.

It may be helpful to discuss fears of low blood sugar with a healthcare provider. In addition, ask aboutblood sugar awareness education. Blood sugar awareness training can improve your ability to recognizelow blood sugar earlier.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR TREATMENT When you are low, you should check your blood sugar level assoon as possible. However, go ahead and treat yourself for low blood sugar if your monitoring equipment

(blood glucose meter, test strips, lancet) is not readily available. Treat yourself quickly, especially if yourblood sugar is less than 40mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L).

If your blood sugar is 51 to 70 mg/dL (2.8 to 3.9 mmol/L), eat 10 to 15 grams of fast-actingcarbohydrate (eg, 1/2 cup fruit juice, 6 to 8 hard candies, 3 to 4 glucose tablets).

If you are less than 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L), eat 20 to 30 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates.

This amount of food is usually enough to raise the blood sugar into a safe range without causing highblood sugar levels (called hyperglycemia). Avoid foods that contain fat (like candy bars) or protein(cheese) initially, since they slow down your body's ability to absorb glucose.

Retest after 15 minutes and repeat treatment if needed. If your next meal is more than an hour away, eat

an additional 15 grams of carbohydrate and 1 ounce of protein. Examples of this include crackers withcheese or one-half of a sandwich with peanut butter. It is important not to eat too much because this canraise your blood sugar above the target level and lead to weight gain over the long-term.

Glucagon If your low blood sugar is severe, you may pass out or become too disoriented to eat. Aclose friend or relative should be trained to recognize severe low blood sugar and treat it quickly. Dealingwith a loved one who is pale, sweaty, acting bizarrely, or is passed out and convulsing can be scary. Aninjection of glucagon stops these symptoms quickly.
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Continue to have low blood sugar despite eating adequate amounts of a fast-acting carbohydrateor receiving glucagon

Once in a hospital or ambulance, you will be given treatment by IV to raise your blood sugar levelimmediately. If you require emergency care, you may be observed in the emergency department for a few

hours before being released. A friend or relative should drive you home.WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION Your healthcare provider is the best source of information forquestions and concerns related to your medical problem.

This article will be updated as needed on our web site (www.uptodate.com/patients ). Related topics forpatients, as well as selected articles written for healthcare professionals, are also available. Some of themost relevant are listed below.

Patient level information UpToDate offers two types of patient education materials.
http://www.uptodate.com/patientshttp://www.uptodate.com/patientshttp://www.uptodate.com/patientshttp://www.uptodate.com/patients

low blood sugar overview

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