When Blood Sugar Is Too Low
Glucose is an ingredient in the food we consume and is also made and stored within the body. It’s the primary energy source for the cells of our body and it is transported to every cell via the bloodstream. The brain relies on glucose for its functioning even when we’re asleep.
It is the level of blood sugar that represents the level of glucose that is present in the blood. When these levels (also called blood sugar levels) drop too low, it’s called hypoglycemia (pronounced: high-poe-gly-SEE-me-uh). Blood sugar levels that are low could cause serious health issues that require treatment promptly.
In the case of low blood sugar levels, it is known as Diabetics
Patients with diabetes may have low levels of blood sugar because of the medications they take to control their diabetes. They might require the hormone insulin or diabetes pills (or both) to assist their bodies to utilize the sugar that is present in their blood.
These medications help to take sugar out of the blood and then transfer it to cells in the body. This helps the blood sugar level drop. However, sometimes it can be difficult to balance with blood sugar levels may be too low.
Diabetes sufferers must prevent their blood sugar levels from being excessively elevated and to low. Being able to keep blood sugar levels in an appropriate range is about managing when and what they eat, as well as when they exercise and when they take their medications.
What is the cause of low blood sugar levels?
The things that cause low blood sugar levels more likely include:
- not eating meals or snacking
- insufficiently eating in the course of a meal or not eating enough food during a meal or snack
- working out longer or more intensely than normal, but not eating additional food
- having too much insulin
- Not synchronizing the insulin doses correctly with food, snacks, or exercising
Certain things could make insulin more readily in the bloodstream and could make hypoglycemia likely. This includes:
- taking a hot shower, or bath after receiving an insulin injection will increase blood flow through blood vessels of the skin. This can allow the insulin to absorb faster than is normal
- Injecting the injection into the muscle instead of the fat layer beneath the skin
- injecting insulin into the area of the body that is utilized frequently in certain sports (like injections into the legs prior to the soccer game).
These situations all increase the chance that someone could develop hypoglycemia.
What are the Signs and symptoms of low Blood Sugar?
Different people might experience lower blood sugar levels in different ways. People who suffer from low blood sugar levels may:
- Feel hungry or experience “hunger sensations” in their stomachs
- Feel shaken or as if they’re experiencing a twitching
- You may have a high heart rate
- You may feel hot or sweaty and dry skin
- Have a gray, pale skin color.
- Have a headache
- You may feel cranky, angry or angry
- You may feel weak, tired or feel dizzy
- Be unsteady or stumble in walking.
- are blurred or have double vision, or blurred
- Feel lost
- suffer from convulsions or seizures
- You lose consciousness (pass out)
If you’re suffering from diabetes, you should be aware of the way your body reacts when glucose levels drop. This can aid you in determining if you’re suffering from low blood sugar levels faster when you next experience it.
Examining for low blood sugar Levels
The signs that indicate hypoglycemia are the body’s normal reaction to low glucose levels in the blood. If blood sugar levels are to low levels the body releases adrenaline, which aids in getting glucose stored in the bloodstream rapidly. This could cause someone to:
- pale
- sweaty
- begin shaking
- are more likely to have an increase in heart rate.
If hypoglycemia isn’t addressed the symptoms can become more severe. be experienced, including seizures, confusion, drowsiness and loss of consciousness.
One way to be certain if you’re experiencing an unbalanced blood sugar level can be to check. Blood sugar levels can be measured using the help of blood glucose meters. The device is computerized and can measure and display what amount of glucose is present in the blood sample. However, if you’re unable to swiftly determine the level of your blood sugar it’s crucial to address hypoglycemia right away to stop the symptoms from becoming worse.
Sometimes, a person suffering from diabetes might experience symptoms from low blood sugar however, blood sugar levels aren’t necessarily low. This is called a False Reaction. This hormone (mentioned above) isn’t just released when blood sugar levels drop to a low level, but it also releases in the event that blood sugar levels drop quickly when they’re overly high. If you’re experiencing an unintentional reaction, you could be experiencing blood sugar levels that are in an appropriate range but it feels like you’re suffering from low blood sugar levels. Checking your blood sugar levels prior to taking care of hypoglycemia may aid in determining if there’s a possibility of an unintentional reaction.
How are low blood sugar levels treated?
Your diabetes health team will offer you guidelines to treat lower blood sugar levels according to the signs you’re experiencing. If you’re able, you should take a look at for blood sugar levels in order to be certain that your symptoms are due to hypoglycemia. If you’re unable to test blood sugar right away take action immediately to treat the symptoms. You can always test your blood sugar after having completed the steps necessary to get your blood sugar levels back to normal levels.
If you have low blood sugar, your aim is to bring them up quickly. In order to do this, you must consume sugar-rich or sugary foods which can increase your blood sugar levels quickly. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you:
- Drink, eat or consume any other item that has sugar in it that could enter the bloodstream quickly. Your doctor may advise that you should consume sugar-rich drinks or foods (like normal sodas, juices of oranges, and cakes with frosting) or prescribe glucose tablets or gels to drink — any of these could help increase your blood sugar levels quickly, which is exactly what you must take action when your blood sugar is low.
- Take for about 10 minutes before letting the sugar do its work.
- Examine your blood sugar levels by using a test glucose monitor to determine if you’re blood sugar levels have returned to normal.
- Take a glucagon shot (see below) If your symptoms are serious or worsen after eating, drinking, or taking glucose.
Sometimes blood sugar levels may drop to the point that you’re not in a good enough state to consume to boost them. If this occurs you might need an injection of glucagon. To go for a sugar test must check out the blood sugar test price here.
Glucagon (pronounced: GLOOO-Kuh-gon) is a hormone that can help raise blood sugar levels rapidly. Teachers, parents, and coaches must be aware of how to administer the glucagon shots in the event of a blood sugar emergency, or at a minimum, be aware of the need to call 911. The doctor may prescribe a glucagon kit that is best kept in a spot where those who live near you are able to locate it.
Preventing low blood sugar levels
Knowing what triggers the low levels of blood sugar and making sure you are prepared, can lower the chances of getting these issues. However, regardless of how well they look after themselves, those suffering from diabetes can experience low blood sugar levels.
Here are some additional tips to aid you in avoiding the effects of low levels of blood sugar:
- Take all your meals and snacks in time and make sure not to miss any.
- Make sure you take the correct amount of insulin.
- If you are exercising longer or more intensely than normal Take a second snack.
- Don’t bathe or shower immediately following taking an insulin dose.
- Stay on top of your diabetic management plan.
- Make sure to check for your levels in your blood frequently so that you know when your blood sugars are low or the treatment plan you are following needs to be adjusted.
- Keep a container of sugar-containing food in your bag at all times, and be sure to take it immediately in the event that you are experiencing symptoms. Do not wait to determine whether the symptoms be gone and they could be worse!
Drinking alcohol and other drugs can lead to serious problems in the blood sugar levels of your body and avoiding these substances is a good option to prevent problems with diabetes. Drinking alcohol can be extremely risky — or even fatal for those suffering from diabetes due to the fact that it affects the body’s ability to maintain blood glucose levels in a reasonable range. This can result in a rapid decline in blood glucose for people suffering from diabetes. Drinking alcohol or taking drugs is as dangerous since it can alter the ability of a person to detect lower blood sugar levels.
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