For people with diabetes, one important aspect of glucose control is preventing hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia is also called an insulin reaction, although it can occur in people with diabetes who do not use insulin. An insulin reaction generally is easy to detect and treat.

Causes of Hypoglycemia:

• Too much insulin or oral medication.
• More exercise or activity than usual.
• Skipping or delaying meals or snacks, or eating less food than usual.

Signs of Hypoglycemia

• Slurred speech
• Headache
• Tingling lips
• Sweating (cool)
• Rapid heart beat
• Confusion/disorientation
• Weakness
• Hunger
• Nervousness
• Coma
• Tremors

If You Have Diabetes, Treat Hypoglycemia When:

• Your blood glucose is below 60 mg/dL (3.3mmol/L), with or without the symptoms.
• Your blood glucose is between 60-100 mg/dL (3.3-5.6 mmol/L), with symptoms.
• You are unable to check your blood glucose.
• If your blood glucose is above 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), there is no need for treatment.

If someone with diabetes has low blood glucose and is unconscious or unable to swallow, glucagon (a medication to raise glucose) may be injected. Family members and exercise partners of people with diabetes who take insulin should learn how to mix and inject glucagon.

How To Treat Hypoglycemia If You Have Diabetes:

1. Quickly take one of the following rapid-acting glucose sources (10-15 gms carbohydrate): 3 glucose tablets (from pharmacy); 1 tube of glucose gel (from pharmacy); 4 oz juice or regular cola; 1 Tbsp. of honey; 8 oz of nonfat milk; or 6 hard candies.
2. Test your blood glucose again 10-15 minutes later.
3. If your blood glucose level has not risen, repeat glucose dose, as above.
4. In either case, if next meal is more than one hour a way, follow the above treatment with something more substantial, such as starch and meat. (Eating food with the first glucose dose can delay the blood glucose rise.)
5. Treatment for low blood glucose should not take the place of a snack or meal.

Reprinted with permission from: InfoDek® © Copyright 2002