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Copyright 2006
Barbara V. Schochet, Ph.D
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Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia -- Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar. People with diabetes and those who work with them or love them need to be able to recognize hypoglycemia when it is happening, know how to help prevent it, and know what to do when it occurs.

Hypoglycemia Happens

When people try to keep their blood sugars in good control, it is inevitable that hypoglycemia will occur. Emotions, menstrual cycles, being busy and eating later than usual, exercising more than usual, stress, and factors we do not even know about yet can play a role. Hypoglycemia can be particularly unsettling (or scary, depending on how severe it is) when it occurs in the middle of the night.

It is important to recognize the early symptoms of hypoglycemia, so that you can test your blood sugar and see if you are truly low, and then treat yourself promptly. It is easier to treat a slightly low blood sugar than a very low one. You also avoid over-treatment and the risk of rebound hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

Hypoglycemia can occur when you are finishing a big project for your boss and delay eating, or when you are traveling and your schedule is off. It can occur when a restaurant doesn't honor your dinner reservation and you have to stand around and wait, or when a food portion is much smaller than you expected. Or, perhaps you have out of town guests and spend the whole day walking around with them, and burn up a lot more energy than usual.

Infomation is key to coping with hypoglycemia:

Hypoglycemia means a level below about 60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl.), It occurs when there is too much insulin and not enough sugar (glucose) in your blood. It occurs mostly when people are taking insulin, but those on oral diabetes medications can get "low," too. (Please consult your doctor about oral meds and hypoglycemia.) (Some medical information resources)

Hypoglycemia is often a combination of one of more of the following:

  • when you have a little less food than usual, or eat later than usual
  • when you exercise more than usual

.... but you take the same amount of insulin.

 

Information for Co-workers, Friends and Relatives (Learn More)

    • Helping Him/Her With Hypoglycemia (Learn More)

Information for People with diabetes

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