Understanding Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)
Understanding Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)When you have diabetes and taking certain diabetes medications or insulin, your blood glucose can also falltoo low.Low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood glucose level drops below 70 milligrams perdeciliter. This can be serious, especially if it causes you to pass out.“A couple of times I had glucose too low, and that was really a strange experience, because usually Itend to even go a little higher, but the low one was I just felt a little shaky. I was not really feeling goodat all.”Hypoglycemia may be a side effect of some oral medications. It can also occur when any oral medication istaken in combination with insulin, or if insulin is taken by itself.Hypoglycemia develops when the parts of your management plan become out of balance.Your blood glucose level can drop below your target range if you skip a meal or don’t eat enoughcarbohydrates, if you exercise more than usual, or if the type or amount of your medication needs adjusting.When this happens, your body doesn’t get the energy it needs to function.Symptoms you might experience include: headache, weakness, a cold sweat or clammy feeling, shakiness,hunger, irritability, and dizziness.If you ignore it, hypoglycemia can get worse and you can pass out.“It’s very important to carry a treatment for hypoglycemia on your person so that if you either begin toget symptoms like you’re foggy-headed, that you’re confused or you have difficulty with coordinationeven to check your blood sugar, you know you need a treatment, that you don’t have to walk or moveanywhere to get that treatment.”The best way to avoid hypoglycemia is to take your medications as directed as well as following the other partsof your management plan, like eating the right amount of foods at the right time and getting into a routine ofphysical activity.Don’t forget to learn all you can about the parts of your management plan, so you understand how they allwork together to keep your blood glucose in your target range.Although Diabetes is complex, it’s manageable when you have the right information and support. DiabetesCare and Education Specialists are trained to be your diabetes expert and can help you learn how tosuccessfully thrive with diabetes. You deserve nothing less!Ask your provider for a referral today! Find one at www.DiabetesEducator.org/findThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10074B EN UnderstandingHypoglycemiaLowBloodGlucose.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
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