Don't Let Diabetes Get You Down: Preventing a Low Blood Sugar Emergency

One minute you're feeling fine and the next you're sweaty, shaky and dizzy. If you have diabetes, you might be having symptoms of low blood sugar. This condition is called hypoglycemia. It's important to recognize and treat low blood sugar symptoms right away. Quick action can prevent an emergency.

What is a low blood sugar emergency?
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is sometimes called "an insulin reaction". It can develop quickly and can lead to a sudden loss of consciousness. It may occur if you:

• Have too much insulin in your body
• Don't eat enough
• Exercise too much
• Take certain medicines

Be on the lookout for warning signs
Learning to recognize warning signs of hypoglycemia may help you avoid a low blood sugar emergency. These signs may vary from time to time. They can also differ from person to person. They include:

• Low blood sugar levels
• Dizziness
• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Heart palpitations (heart pounding)
• Hunger
• Pale skin
• Trouble concentrating

If you have had diabetes for many years, you may not always be able to recognize the subtle signs of hypoglycemia. This is known as hypoglycemic unawareness. It occurs more in people who have neuropathy (nerve damage) caused by diabetes, or who take certain medications for heart disease or high blood pressure. Although you may not feel the physical symptoms of low blood sugar, you may still have mental symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as:

• Trouble concentrating
• Slowed speech
• Coordination problems

Tell your doctor if your blood sugar level drops below 50 and you do not have any symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Be prepared!
To help prevent a low blood sugar emergency, you need to plan ahead. Wear a medical alert bracelet and always have the following at hand:

• A blood sugar (glucose) meter.
• Glucose tablets, hard candies or another form of sugar.
• A syringe of glucagon (a hormone that quickly raises blood sugar). Ask your doctor to prescribe it and show your family, friends and coworkers how to inject you.

Tips for preventing a low blood sugar emergency
To help prevent low blood sugar, check your blood sugar levels as often as your doctor tells you to. And keep your blood sugars in your target range.

If you do become hypoglycemic:

• Eat something with sugar in it, such as:
• Three glucose tablets
• One-half cup of fruit juice, or
• Five to six pieces of hard candy
• Then wait 15 minutes and check your blood sugar levels.
• If your blood sugar level is still low and you still have symptoms, have the same amount of sugary food again.

Be sure to act fast - hypoglycemia can quickly cause you to lose consciousness. If you do pass out, you'll need a glucagon shot right away. If this is not possible, someone needs to call 9-1-1 to get you immediate medical assistance.

Related Articles Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Diabetes Oral Glucose Tolerance

External Sources American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemia. Accessed November 27, 2007. American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemia prevention and treatment. Accessed November 27, 2007. Joslin Diabetes Center. What can I do to prevent serious hypoglycemic episodes when I am hypoglycemia unaware? Accessed November 27, 2007.

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