What are the dangers of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?. How can you recognize and treat the symptoms of hypoglycemia?. What can you do to prevent hypoglycemic episodes?.

The Hypoglycemia-Diabetes Connection

Your body converts carbohydrates in foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and bread products into glucose, which requires insulin to transport it into cells and tissues for energy. Normally, when your blood sugar levels drop too low, your body either produces more glucose or releases extra glucose that has been stored in the liver and muscles. However, in some patients with diabetes, this response to normalize glucose is impaired. Certain medications used to treat diabetes, such as insulin, can also prevent glucose levels from easily returning to the normal range.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Hypoglycemia

For patients with diabetes, hypoglycemia occurs when there’s too much insulin in your system. This can happen if you eat less than normal, skip meals, exercise more than usual, or don’t eat enough carbohydrates for the amount of insulin (or other diabetes medication) that you take. When this happens, you can experience symptoms like sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, feelings of nervousness or anxiety, dizziness, hunger, and irritability.

Some people, particularly those with type 1 diabetes, who experience repeated episodes of hypoglycemia, may develop hypoglycemia unawareness. This is when you no longer experience the typical symptoms of low blood sugar and are therefore less likely to treat it. Hypoglycemia unawareness is dangerous and puts you at risk for developing severe symptoms like clumsiness, confusion, seizures, fainting, and even death.

Treating Low Blood Sugar

Your treatment for hypoglycemia depends on the severity of your symptoms. If your symptoms are relatively mild, you’ll want to follow the 15-15 rule: Eat or drink 15 grams of glucose or carbohydrates, wait 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar. If it’s still too low, repeat this process until it’s back to your target range.

If you’re prone to severe hypoglycemia, eating or drinking won’t be enough. In this case, your doctor will prescribe glucagon, a hormone that raises your blood sugar levels, which can be given as a nasal powder or by injection. Your doctor may also recommend keeping an emergency glucagon kit with you and checking it periodically to ensure it’s stocked and the medication hasn’t expired.

Preventing Hypoglycemic Episodes

The best way to prevent hypoglycemia is to detect low blood sugar before you develop serious symptoms. You can do this with a meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Here are some other things you can do:

• Time your medications: Always take diabetes medication in the recommended dosage and at the recommended time. Some diabetes medications can cause hypoglycemia.
• Watch what you eat: Following a meal plan is important for managing diabetes. Have enough food during each meal, avoid skipping meals, and try healthy snacking.
• Exercise responsibly: Check your blood glucose before sports, exercise, or other physical activity and adjust medication if necessary. Have a snack handy if your levels fall below 100 mg/dL.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Drinking a lot of alcohol, especially on an empty stomach, can block your liver from releasing stored glucose into your bloodstream.

Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Managing your blood sugar starts with being vigilant about monitoring your levels and taking appropriate action to prevent or treat hypoglycemia. By following these strategies, you can work with your healthcare team to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range and avoid the dangerous complications of low blood sugar.

The Importance of Communication with Your Healthcare Team

Regularly communicating with your healthcare team is crucial for managing your diabetes and preventing hypoglycemic episodes. Be sure to inform your doctor or pharmacist about any changes in your medication, diet, or exercise routine, as well as any concerns or challenges you’re experiencing. Together, you can develop a personalized plan to effectively manage your blood sugar levels and minimize the risks of hypoglycemia.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A Game-Changer for Hypoglycemia Management

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have revolutionized the way people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. These tools provide real-time data on your glucose levels, allowing you to detect and respond to hypoglycemic episodes quickly. By using a CGM, you can gain valuable insights into your body’s unique response to various factors, empowering you to make more informed decisions about your diabetes management.