Doctors prescribe diabetes medications for treating high blood sugar but these medications can sometimes lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Most health topics tend to focus on high blood sugar levels, but low sugar levels can also be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
Hypoglycemia is when the body’s blood glucose level is lower than its metabolic needs. Generally, this condition is characterised by a fasting blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL for adults. Glucose is the body’s primary metabolic fuel, and certain organs, like the brain with limited stores, are particularly sensitive to critically low levels of this nutrient.
In people with diabetes who are using insulin or other antidiabetic medication, hypoglycemia is relatively common. It can also happen in those without diabetes, although less commonly. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia may be related to drugs, illnesses, tumours, alcohol, and hormonal imbalances.
Irrespective of the cause, hypoglycemia can easily become a serious medical emergency if not properly managed. The following sections will teach you how to identify hypoglycemia and the proper steps to manage this condition.
Although blood glucose levels typically vary throughout the day, the body tries to prevent any drastic changes. Conditions that alter how the body regulates glucose metabolism, thus leading to hypoglycemia, include:
A fasting blood glucose value below 70 mg/dL is the threshold for hypoglycemia, but not everyone experiences symptoms at this point. Some may only begin showing signs of low blood glucose levels when their readings fall below 55 mg/dL, while others show no signs at all. Nevertheless, recognizing these symptoms can help you identify a low blood sugar episode.
Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
In severe cases, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death.
If you have a glucometer reading of less than 70 mg/dL, you can take the following steps:
For severe hypoglycemia, the individual might be unconscious or unable to swallow. In this case, you can help them recover by doing the following:
If you are prone to hypoglycemic episodes, it’s important to inform close family and friends. They should know how to recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar, how to use the glucagon kit, and when to take you to the hospital.
Here are some tips to help keep your blood sugar levels from getting too low.
Patients taking medications to reduce their blood sugar levels should follow the dosage strictly. Failure to do so may result in low blood sugar. It’s also important to follow the medication schedule and only take them when due.
Intense mental and physical activity uses up glucose stores in the body. Therefore, if you are engaging in such activity, eat a meal or carbohydrate-rich snack before starting. If this will last for a long period, take more carbohydrates in between the activity.
It is recommended that you take snacks in between meals to keep your glucose levels optimal if they are low.
This is essential for patients who have had episodes of hypoglycemia in the past. You need a glucometer (an instrument for measuring blood glucose level) handy for this purpose.
Low blood glucose can easily become life-threatening, so it requires prompt attention. The goal of any such treatment is to raise blood glucose levels back to normal.
Since 1938, Whipple's triad has been used by doctors in the assessment of hypoglycemia:
Severe hypoglycemia (in which the patient is most likely unconscious) is treated with a glucose infusion. On the other hand, conscious patients who can swallow receive the glucose orally, via readily absorbable carbohydrates (such as fruit juice).
For patients who can’t tolerate oral intake, glucagon is administered. Doctors give it intramuscularly (through muscle) or intranasally (through the nose). Glucagon raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogenolysis (the conversion of glycogen into glucose) in the liver.
When the patient becomes conscious, they will need to consume a complex carbohydrate meal to maintain a stable blood glucose level. Thereafter, serial blood glucose checks are done to confirm total recovery.
The health provider then educates the patient on lifestyle changes, early symptoms, and the need to monitor blood glucose levels closely. Wearing a medical alert bracelet may also be a great idea for patients with frequent hypoglycemic episodes. This is so that anyone around knows what to do to help if hypoglycemia suddenly occurs.
Hypoglycemia, characterised by low blood glucose levels, can progress to a serious medical emergency if poorly managed. While it may be caused by antidiabetic medication, it may also result from excessive alcohol consumption, underlying medical conditions, tumours, and hormonal imbalances.
Recognizing symptoms like hunger, lightheadedness, shakiness, blurry vision, and dizziness may help you spot a hypoglycemic episode. However, not everyone experiences these symptoms, so you may need to perform a quick blood sugar test using a glucometer to confirm.
The goal of treatment is to restore normal blood sugar levels, which can be achieved by consuming a high-sugar meal or snack or by administering a glucagon shot. If the patient fails to improve, they require immediate medical attention.
Does drinking water help with low blood sugar?
What helps increase low blood sugar fast?
What range of blood glucose is low?
Can low blood sugar levels cause death?
Read Next: