Diabetic Hypoglycemia

What is diabetic hypoglycemia?

Diabetic hypoglycemia is a condition that happens when you have diabetes and the sugar (glucose) in your blood drops too low. This means there is not enough sugar in your blood to give your muscles and brain cells the energy they need to work. This may cause you to faint. When diabetic hypoglycemia happens, you will need treatment right away. After treatment, your blood sugar should rise to a normal level, and you should feel better.

What are the causes of diabetic hypoglycemia?

• Drinking alcohol
  
  
• Exercising more than usual, without eating extra food
  
  
• Missing a meal, or eating a meal later than usual
  
  
• Taking certain medicines, such as those used to treat infection, or taking too much insulin or other diabetes medicine
  
  
• Being pregnant puts you at higher risk for diabetic hypoglycemia
  
  
• If you are in the hospital due to disease or illness, you have an increased risk for diabetic hypoglycemia

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetic hypoglycemia?

• If your blood sugar level is just a little low, you may have a headache, feel hungry or nervous, have trouble thinking, feel moody or weak, or sweat.
  
  
• If your blood sugar level is moderately low, you may sweat a lot, feel very weak, or feel your heart pounding. You may also forget things, see double, be confused, or have trouble walking. Other signs are feeling numb and tingly around your mouth or your fingers.
  
  
• If your blood sugar level is dangerously low, you may have convulsions (seizures) or become unconscious (faint).

How do I manage diabetic hypoglycemia?

If you have any signs or symptoms of low blood sugar:

• Check your blood sugar level. Talk to your caregiver about low blood sugar and how it should be treated.
  
  
• If your blood sugar level is 70 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) or below: You need to eat or drink a source of sugar right away.
  
  
  • Drink 4 ounces (one-half cup) of fruit juice, or eat 5 to 6 pieces of hard candy, or take 3 glucose tablets. Re-check your blood sugar level 15 minutes later.
    
    
  • If your blood sugar level is normal, your caregiver may want you to eat a snack or a meal. Avoid foods high in fat.
    
    
  • If your blood sugar level is still low, drink one-half cup of juice, or eat 5 to 6 pieces of candy, or take 3 glucose tablets.
  
  
• Carry candy or some type of sugar with you at all times. If you have no blood glucose meter, or you are very drowsy, eat some sugar right away. Always carefully follow your caregiver's instructions on how to treat low blood sugar levels.
  
  
• If you feel drowsy or confused, or have fainted, you or someone nearby should call 911 or your local emergency number right away for help. Teach your family and others to call 911 if you have symptoms of low blood sugar, or you have fainted and they find you. This is an emergency. Emergency caregivers will give you sugar by mouth or in your vein. Teach your family and others to give you sugar if you are awake. If you cannot be awakened, you need to be injected with glucagon. Tell your family that they should never make you swallow anything if you are passed out.

How do I prevent diabetic hypoglycemia?

• Take diabetes medicine (pills or insulin) as directed by your caregiver. Take medicine at the right time and in the right amount.
  
  
• Eat regular meals and snacks. Talk to your dietitian or caregiver about a meal plan that is right for you. Eat the same amount of food for each meal and eat at the same time each day. Do not skip meals.
  
  
• Monitor your blood sugar. Ask your caregiver what your blood sugar level should be before and after eating. Ask him when and how often to check your blood sugar level. You will need to check your blood sugar level at least 3 times each day if you use an insulin pump or take multiple doses of insulin. Write your blood sugar level results in a diary each time you check them. Take the diary with you when you see your caregiver. Doing this can help you and your caregiver see if your diet, activities, or medicines need to be changed.
  
  
• Your caregiver may change what your blood sugar target levels should be if you get hypoglycemia often.
  
  
• Check with your caregiver before you return to your exercise program or try a new form of exercise.
  
  
• If your blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dl before exercise, eat a carbohydrate snack. Examples of carbohydrate snacks are 4 to 6 crackers, one-half of a banana, or 4 ounces (one-half cup) of juice. Have a carbohydrate snack available during and after exercise.
  
  
• Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can cause blood sugar to drop. If you drink alcohol, you should always have a snack or meal at the same time.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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