How To Know When Blood Sugar Is Low

Why Do Hypos Happen

Understanding why you get hypos can help you prevent them from happening as often.

We dont always know why hypos happen, but some things make them more likely. These include:

• missing or delaying a meal or snack
• not having enough carbohydrate at your last meal
• doing a lot of exercise without having extra carbohydrate or without reducing your insulin dose
• taking more insulin than you needed
• drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.

Insulin and some other diabetes medications can make you more likely to have a hypo. Check with your diabetes healthcare team if youre not sure whether the treatment youre on is likely to cause hypos.

Nighttime Low Blood Sugar

While low blood sugar can happen at any time during the day, some people may experience low blood sugar while they sleep. Reasons this may happen include:

• Having an active day.
• Being physically active close to bedtime.
• Taking too much insulin.
• Drinking alcohol at night.

Eating regular meals and not skipping them can help you avoid nighttime low blood sugar. Eating when you drink alcohol can also help. If you think youre at risk for low blood sugar overnight, have a snack before bed.

You may wake up when you have low blood sugar, but you shouldnt rely on that. A continuous glucose monitor can alert you with an alarm if your blood sugar gets low while youre sleeping.

Questions To Prepare For Doctor Appointment

You can help your doctor treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What steps did you take to correct your high or low blood sugar level? Did they help?
• Have you had signs of another illness?
• Have you made any recent changes in your diet, exercise, or medicines?
• What other prescription and non-prescription medicines do you take?
• Have you recently had increased emotional or physical stress?
• Have you noticed situations that trigger or may cause your high or low blood sugar problem?
• Have you noticed any patterns, such as time of day, when your high or low blood sugar problem occurs?
• Have you used a high blood sugar card ? If so, be sure to bring it when you see your doctor.
• Do you have other health risks?

Be sure to take your daily blood sugar monitoring logbook to your appointment. If you have specific records of your high and low blood sugar problems, be sure to take those records.

Parents will also need to keep records of their childs high or low blood sugar problems to share with their childs doctor.

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High Calorie Foods May Or May Not Cause The Blood Sugar Level To Rise

Many people think that all high-calorie foods raise blood sugar level, but this is not always the case.

In general, foods that cause blood sugar level to rise the most are those that are high in carbohydrates, which are quickly converted into energy, such as rice, bread, fruits and sugar. Next are foods high in protein, such as meats, fish eggs, milk and dairy products, and oily foods. However, even though carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels, if you donât eat them your diet will be unbalanced and you wonât feel satisfied after your meal, which can lead to excessive consumption of foods rich in protein and fat.

Food containing three major nutrients

Medication Used To Correct A Low Blood Sugar

This medicine is available in a kit for a low blood sugar emergency. Symptoms of a low blood sugar emergency are:

• unconsciousness
• patient is awake but unable to eat
• the patient is having a seizure
• the patients blood sugar is still less than 70 even after eating or drinking food containing sugar.

Most often, glucagon is injected into the muscle. This type of glucagon is a powder in a bottle to which sterile water is added from a pre-filled syringe. The same syringe is then used to give the injection. Do not mix the glucagon with water unless you are going to inject the glucagon.

Some glucagon can be given as a puff through the nose. Talk to your healthcare provider about which type may be best for you and your family. A family member or friend should know where you keep your glucagon kit and how to administer the medication. Read the directions that come with the kit with your friend or family member. That way you will be prepared if a low blood sugar emergency happens.

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How Can Parents Help

Nearly every child with diabetes will have an episode of mild hypoglycemia at times. Rarely, an episode will be a serious emergency. You can help make this less likely, and be ready if it does happen. Here are some tips:

• Follow your childs diabetes care plan. This is the best way to keep their sugars in a healthy range. The plan will guide you on the timing of:
• blood sugar checks

If you have questions about how to prevent or treat hypoglycemia, or about the diabetes care plan, call your child’s diabetes health care team.

What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Hypoglycemia

Mild hypoglycemia can cause such symptoms as:

Severe hypoglycemia can also cause these symptoms:

• not responding or waking up

Teach your child about the symptoms of low blood sugar and what to do. Even young kids who can’t describe their symptoms can learn to tell an adult when they don’t feel well. Help your child understand that they need treatment when they dont feel well. And explain how to find an adult who can help them.

Some people with diabetes can’t sense the early warning signs of low blood sugar. They may not recognize they need quick treatment. This can lead to more serious symptoms as blood sugar levels continue to fall. If you think your child cant sense what low blood sugar feels like, tell the diabetes care team.

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Which Are The Most Common Causes Of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, and the onset can be in childhood, adolescence, or even young adulthood. The cause is just that your body is reacting in a way it should not. This is a maladaptive reaction where it is attacking itself causing your blood sugar levels to increase or dip very low.Type 2 diabetes are caused by lifestyle issues like smoking, alcohol intake, low or no physical activity, a diet that is high in processed and junk foods, being overweight or obese and environmental stressors. Having a relative who has diabetes can also increase your risk of having Type 2 diabetes. Then, there are other comorbidities like polycystic ovarian syndrome and gestational diabetes in women that raises their chances.Gestational diabetes can happen to pregnant women who are overweight or obese, have prediabetes, PCOS, and a family history of diabetes, or had a previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes.

What Do I Need To Be Ready For A Low Blood Glucose

• Know YOUR signs of low blood glucose. Your family and friends will also need to learn your signs of low blood glucose so they can help you treat it.
• Always keep some form of sugar with you.
• Always keep your blood glucose meter with you.
• Always have a Glucagon Emergency Kit .
• Always wear a medical necklace or bracelet, or carry a medical ID card in your wallet.

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Knowing Your High And Low Blood Sugar Symptoms Allows You To Test

Once you understand symptoms of high and low blood sugar, it is possible to test quickly and avoid serious problems.

Keeping to a clear target range is one of the key goals of diabetes management, and knowing when you have the symptoms of high or low blood sugar levels allows you to test your blood sugar and make a correction.

Hyperglycaemia Causes And Symptoms

It is interesting to know how this phenomenon of blood sugar abnormalities occurs in the body. The contributing factors that kickstart diabetes in the body inhibit the pancreas from producing too much insulin in the body: above 180 to 200 milligrams per decilitre or 10 to 11.1 millimoles per litre . This is understood as the cause of high blood sugar or hyperglycaemia.The symptoms of hyperglycaemia include having a high level of blood sugar in your system, increased thirst and hunger, blurry vision, frequent urination, and headaches. If hyperglycaemia remains prolonged because of no medical intervention, it can cause weight loss, increasing infections especially around the genitals, skin infections, and the inability of wounds and cuts to heal fast.Long-term complications are a very real possibility with hyperglycaemia. So, this issue should be tackled immediately. Cardiovascular, nervous, bone, and joint issues can occur with this condition. So can kidney damage, gum and teeth problems, and damage to blood vessels.

There are some emergency complications that will require you to rush to the hospital, like:

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Complications From Spells Of Hypoglycemia

Mildly low blood sugar levels are somewhat common for people with diabetes. However, severely low blood sugar levels can be life threatening. They may lead to seizures and nervous system damage if left untreated long enough. Immediate treatment is critical.

Its important to recognize your symptoms and treat them quickly. For people at risk for low blood sugar, having a glucagon kit a medication that raises blood sugar levels is important. Talk with your doctor for more information.

You may also want to talk with friends, family members, exercise partners, and co-workers about how to care for you if your blood sugar drops too low.

Its important for them to recognize low blood sugar symptoms and to know how to use the glucagon kit, as well as understand the importance of calling 911 if you lose consciousness.

Wearing a medical identification bracelet is a good idea. It can help emergency responders care for you properly if you need urgent medical attention.

Treat low blood sugar as soon as possible. Avoid driving if you are experiencing low blood sugar, as it can increase your risk for having an accident.

There are several ways you can prevent low blood sugar. Well look at each of these prevention methods in more detail below.

What Causes A Low Blood Sugar Level

In people with diabetes, the main causes of a low blood sugar level are:

• the effects of medicine especially taking too much insulin, medicines called sulfonylureas , medicines called glinides , or some antiviral medicines to treat hepatitis C
• skipping or delaying a meal
• not eating enough carbohydrate foods in your last meal, such as bread, cereals, pasta, potatoes and fruit
• exercise, especially if it’s intense or unplanned
• drinking alcohol

Sometimes there’s no obvious reason why a low blood sugar level happens.

Very occasionally, it can happen in people who do not have diabetes.

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What Is The Latest Method To Lower Glucose Levels

There are a few different ways that you can lower glucose levels through diet.

The best way to achieve successful results is by following a balanced and healthy diet that includes all the essential nutrients your body needs. In addition to this, make sure to exercise regularly to keep your metabolism going and reduce cravings.

Some other methods that may help lower glucose levels include supplements and prescription drugs. Consult with your doctor about which ones would be best for you based on your specific health conditions.

Uncontrolled High Blood Sugar Can Damage Your Cardiovascular System

Blood sugar can be another important factor in preventing heart health issues like heart attack or stroke.

When you eat or drink, your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, a simple sugar which enters the bloodstream as the bodys main form of energy.

But sometimes, blood sugar levels can build up over time, particularly if you have issues with insulin, a hormone your body uses to control blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when someone becomes less sensitive to insulin over time, resulting in chronically elevated blood sugar .

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Hypoglycaemia Causes And Symptoms

When your blood sugar level is below the normal range, you have hypoglycaemia. For you to be hypoglycaemic, your fasting blood sugar has to be less than 70 mg/dL. Low blood sugar can affect people differently. Learn your personal symptoms and warning indicators of low blood sugar.You might understand your own signs of low blood sugar better by consistently recording the symptoms. The same can be applied to high blood sugar as well. The only accurate way to confirm whether you have the symptoms of high or low blood sugar, however, is to get a blood test done.Low blood sugar causes can be related to your diabetes treatment. Taking too much insulin can be a major factor. Besides this, the timing of your insulin dosage and whether you are complementing the insulin intake with the appropriate amount of carbs are also influential. Skipping meals, drinking alcohol, and intense exercise that can overexert you are some other reasons.The early symptoms that you may experience if you are hypoglycaemic can be tiredness, dizziness, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, feeling anxious or irritable, and tingling lips. The symptoms may worsen and manifest as fatigue, blurred vision, experiencing confusion, slurred speech, collapsing, and even seizures.

What To Do To Prevent Hypoglycemia:

Try to test your blood sugar. If you are too shaky, eat or drink a fast-acting carbohydrate such as:

• 6 ounces of a regular soft drink
• 8 ounces skim milk
• 8 Sweet Tart candies
• 2 tablespoons raisins

Test blood sugar every 15 to 30 minutes until it is above 100. Eat a second fast-acting carbohydrate if needed. If your next regular meal is more than two hours away, eat a snack such as half a sandwich or three peanut butter or cheese crackers. If you are unconscious, someone should call 911 immediately. You should not be given anything by mouth if you are unconscious.

Be sure to tell your doctor about this episode in case your medication needs to be adjusted.

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Low Blood Sugar Symptoms

• Symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling shaky, lightheaded, dizzy, and having a fast heartbeat.

• Lowering glucose levels through diet and exercise can help to reduce symptoms of low blood sugar.

• There are a variety of techniques that can be used to lower glucose levels quickly. Some common techniques include eating sugar-free meals, drinking sugar-free beverages, chewing sugar-free gum, and taking sugar-free insulin if prescribed by your healthcare provider.

• Keeping a journal can help you track your blood sugar levels and make changes as needed. By tracking your blood sugar levels in a journal, you can recognize when changes are needed and make adjustments accordingly. This also helps you track your overall blood sugar levels and improve overall health.

• Low blood sugar can be treated with medications or supplements, depending on the severity of the condition. If the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily activity or cause health issues such as irritability or frequent urination, it may be necessary to treat low blood sugar with insulin or other medications.

Why Is Glucose Important

Glucose is a type of sugar that is essential for the body to function properly. Glucose is released by the digestion of food in the form of calories, and is used by various parts of the body as energy. Since glucose helps in the metabolism of fat and protein, it’s vital for the functioning of organs like the heart, brain, and blood cells.

When blood sugar levels are high, it can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.A low blood sugar level can result in fatigue, dizziness, and even seizures. Thus, it’s important to keep glucose levels in check so that your body can function optimally and with ease.

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What If I Have Severe Low Blood Glucose And Cant Treat Myself

Glucagona hormone that raises blood glucose levelsis the best way to treat severely low blood glucose. Available as an injection or a nasal spray, glucagon will quickly raise your blood glucose level. Your doctor can prescribe you a glucagon kit for use in case of an emergency.

If your blood glucose level drops very low, you wont be able to treat it by yourself. Be prepared to address severely low blood glucose by

• talking with your doctor or health care team about when and how to use a glucagon emergency kit. If you have an emergency kit, regularly check the date on the package to make sure it hasnt expired.
• teaching your family, friends, and coworkers when and how to give you glucagon. Tell them to call 911 right away after giving you glucagon or if you dont have a glucagon emergency kit with you.
• wearing a medical alert identification bracelet or pendant. A medical alert ID tells other people that you have diabetes and need care right away. Getting prompt care can help prevent the serious problems that low blood glucose levels can cause.