Low Blood Sugar
If you have diabetes, you should try to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. The American Diabetes Association defines low blood sugar as a reading of 70 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) or lower. Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar happens when your body's sugar (glucose) is used up too quickly. It sometimes happens when glucose is released into the bloodstream too slowly. Another cause is too much insulin in the bloodstream.
Some people have signs and symptoms of low blood sugar without their blood sugar going that low. This sometimes happens if you have just started to get your blood sugar under better control. If your blood sugar has been high for a while and it is getting to a normal range, it may feel like you are having a low when you really are not.
Symptoms of low blood sugar are:
- Cold sweats
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Double vision or blurry vision
- Fatigue
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
- Headache
- Hunger
- Irritable or nervous
- Rapid heart rate
- Trembling
Other signs might be:
- Decreased alertness
- Different size pupils
- Dizziness
- Excessive sweating
- Fainting
- Hallucinations
- Memory loss
- Muscle pain
- Paleness
- Pounding heartbeat
- Sleeping difficulty
Treating low blood sugar is important. If you take medicine that lowers your blood sugar, a snack or drink containing sugar will help raise the blood glucose level. It is best to drink no more than 4 ounces of juice or sugar soda. You should see a quick response and feel better soon. If you do not feel better, check your blood sugar again in 15 minutes. Do not over-treat low blood sugar because it can then cause high blood sugar in people with diabetes. Talk to your doctor about problems that you have. Your doctor may tell you to change your diet so you get more even amounts of glucose into your body throughout the day. You may be told to eat small meals more often or to eat foods with complex carbohydrates, fiber, and fat or avoid simple sugars, alcohol, and fruit juice. Keep a balance by eating meals at regular intervals and getting exercise.
To be in the best control, keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal through proper diet, exercise, and medication or insulin therapy. Talk to your doctor or your diabetes educator to learn the best ways to do this. Keeping your blood sugar in a normal range is important. Not having high and low blood sugars will make you feel better and lower your risks for diabetes complications. The only way to make sure your blood sugar levels are in target range is to test daily and see your healthcare provider for a hemoglobin A1c test.
Checking your blood sugar is the only way to know what the number is for sure. If your meter is not handy, then correct your blood sugar like a low and test as soon as you can. If your blood sugar goes low often, report this to your doctor or diabetes educator. You may need some changes in your diabetes care plan to decrease risks of low blood sugar. This can be done with a change in medication or in the way you are eating or being active. Small changes can often help.
What numbers should you look for in your blood sugar testing? People and goals will vary. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator to get some guidelines for your diabetes management.
Diabetes: A Family Matter
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