Hypoglycemia • • • •
Hypoglycemia happens from time to time to everyone who has diabetes. Check blood glucose levels to determine when your level is low. Learn to identify the symptoms of hypoglycemia so you can treat it quickly. Treat hypoglycemia by raising your blood glucose level with some form of sugar.
Hypoglycemia, sometimes called an insulin reaction, can happen even during those times when you're doing all you can to manage your diabetes. So, although many times you can't prevent it from happening, hypoglycemia can be treated before it gets worse. For this reason, it's important to know what hypoglycemia is, what symptoms of hypoglycemia are, and how to treat hypoglycemia. You may also be interested in our book, 487 Really Cool Tips for Kids with Diabetes. How do I know when my blood glucose is low? Part of managing diabetes is checking blood glucose often. Ask your doctor how often you should check and what your blood glucose levels should be. The results from checking your blood will tell you when your blood glucose is low and that you need to treat it. You should check your blood glucose level according to the schedule you work out with your doctor. More importantly though, you should check your blood whenever you feel low blood glucose coming on. After you check and see that your blood glucose level is low, you should treat hypoglycemia quickly. If you feel a reaction coming on but cannot check, remember this simple rule: When in doubt, treat. What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia? Symptoms of hypoglycemia include the following: • • • • • • • • • • •
Shakiness Dizziness Sweating Hunger Headache Pale skin color Sudden moodiness or behavior changes, such as crying for no apparent reason Clumsy or jerky movements Seizure Difficulty paying attention, or confusion Tingling sensations around the mouth