Diabetic Hypoglycemia, Episodes of Lower than Normal Blood Sugars

Persons with diabetes need to be aware of the levels of their blood sugars and most take a self-administered blood test each day, sometimes more than once daily, using a glucose measuring device that takes just less than a minute to provide a reading.

Since diabetes is a condition which is characterized by higher than normal blood sugar levels, the condition of lower than normal blood sugars, which is also known by the medical term hypoglycemia, is not usually thought about. But it does occur, and all people who have diabetes should be fully aware of the possibility of experiencing a low blood sugar event and should know what to do if and when it occurs. Such an episode if left untreated can lead to serious and deadly consequences.

Family and friends of a diabetic should also be made aware of what must be done if a situation of low blood sugars occurs. It is not normally a very frequent occurrence and is usually quite mild when it does happen if it is promptly treated by consuming food or drink that supplies a suitable fast acting source of glucose.

Food items that can quickly provide needed glucose:
• a teaspoon of honey or sugar
• a half glass or half cup of 4 ounces of orange juice or apple juice
• a non-diet soft drink or cola
• 5 or 6 pieces of hard candy
• an energy snack bar or glucose drink that supplies 15 grams of carbohydrate
• an 8-ounce cup or glass of milk

Typical symptoms
Without a glucose blood test meter, a diabetic cannot tell whether or not they have higher than normal blood sugar levels but when the opposite is occurring and the blood sugar levels fall below normal, there are usually quite apparent accompanying feelings of distress that provide an alert that something is wrong. Typical symptoms caused by hypoglycemia are:

• breaking out to a slight sweat
• a slight shakiness or a trembling of the hands
• feelings of nervousness or anxiety or a growing sense of unease
• lightheadedness or dizzy feelings
• confusion or difficulty speaking
• hunger
• tiredness or sleepiness

Possible causes
The hypoglycemic condition can be the result of not eating enough suitable food or going without consuming any food for too long a period of time. It can also happen after a routine of excessive or too strenuous physical activity and exercise. The remedy to prevent either of the foregoing from happening is quite obvious, eat properly, the right foods in the proper frequency and in the case of upcoming physical activity, check blood glucose levels and have a suitable snack if they are below 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). And keep a snack or energy drink close by for after the exercise session or when you feel it is needed.

Side effects of medications can also cause hypoglycemia and that may require a change in medicines in which case the doctor will provide advice on the appropriate path to follow. A doctor should be consulted if episodes of low blood sugars begin to occur more often, as stated previously, such events are not very common in the life of a diabetic even though most of us do have the occasional occurrence.

Conclusion
Always keep and have a readily available emergency safety pack of fast acting food and drink items. Take it with you if you are away from home and do not go too long between meals without stopping for a snack and refreshments.

Your cells need glucose constantly and if it is not available from the bloodstream the body will begin to breakdown the fat cells in which glucose is also stored, but that comes with an added possible danger leading to ketones and ketoacidosis, but that is another story to be described elsewhere.

I am a long-time type-2 diabetic and I prefer to write mainly on diabetes topics.

For more information on a wide range of diabetes subject matter please visit my websites at Achieving Normal Blood Sugar Levels and at A Diet Plan for Diabetics. Worth a visit, check it out !