If you live with diabetes, you may be concerned about your blood sugar levels dropping (which we medically call hypoglycemia). This can happen if you take too much insulin, don't eat right, or exercise more than usual. Sometimes, this can happen no matter how well you control your diabetes. That's why it's important to know the warning signs of low blood sugar. It's important to keep your family and friends informed about this, not just you.
How low is sugar really dangerous?
Most people start to experience symptoms when their blood sugar levels drop to 70 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or lower. But this is not the same for everyone. Sometimes you may feel shaky even if your blood sugar levels are a little higher than that. It's best to talk to your doctor about what your ideal blood sugar level is and where the danger zone begins.
What are these warning signs?
As soon as your blood sugar level starts to drop even slightly, you may feel anxious, restless, and shaky. This is because when your blood sugar drops, our body produces a hormone called adrenaline. This is what we call the "fight or flight" hormone. This is the body's natural defense mechanism.
In addition to these basic symptoms, there are several other mild and moderate symptoms. Let's see what they are.
| Symptom | How you feel |
|---|---|
| Crankiness | You get angry for no reason, and you get hurt over even the smallest things. |
| Shakiness | It feels like your hands, legs, or whole body are shaking. |
| Dizziness | I feel dizzy and have difficulty standing. |
| Fast heartbeat | I feel my heart beating fast. |
| Hunger | Suddenly, you feel very hungry. |
| Fatigue | I'm very tired and feel lifeless. |
| Trouble concentrating | I can't concentrate on what I'm doing, my head feels fuzzy. |
| Sweating and chills | I'm suddenly sweating, but my body feels cold. |
| Weakness | I feel like I have no strength left in my body. |
If the situation becomes serious...
If you don't try to restore your blood sugar levels as soon as you notice these early symptoms, your symptoms may get worse. This means you could experience things like:
- Blurred vision: Not being able to see clearly.
- Slurred speech: Slurred words, stuttering.
- Seizures: Can come on like a fit.
- Passing out: You may faint and fall.
These serious symptoms are a very dangerous situation that requires emergency medical treatment. At this time, you should immediately go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU). It is essential to tell your family, friends, and those you work with about these serious symptoms and what to do if they occur.
Some people also experience low blood sugar during sleep, which can lead to frightening dreams, screaming in their sleep, sweating, or feeling irritable for no reason when they wake up in the morning.
Hypoglycemia Unawareness (low blood sugar but no symptoms)
This is something we should definitely know. Some people do not show any symptoms even though their blood sugar is low. We call this `(Hypoglycemia Unawareness)`. If you have low blood sugar frequently, over time your body starts to ignore these warning signs. That is, the body gets used to this condition. If you have had diabetes for a long time, or if you are someone who controls your blood sugar very strictly, this condition is more likely to occur.
`Hypoglycemia Unawareness` is a very dangerous condition. Because you can suddenly lose consciousness without warning. If you have this condition, it is essential to check your blood sugar levels regularly. A `Continuous Glucose Monitor` that monitors your sugar levels throughout the day can be very useful for such people. This device gives you an alarm when your sugar level drops.
You can also train your body to recognize these low blood sugar symptoms again. Your doctor will teach you how to do that.
What to do immediately if your blood sugar drops
This is the most important part. As soon as you feel symptoms of low blood sugar, you can use the "15-15 rule" to quickly restore your blood sugar levels.
1. Eat 15 grams of carbohydrates: For this, you can take glucose tabs, half a glass of fruit juice, some raisins, a few jelly beans, or 3 teaspoons of sugar dissolved in water. Things like chocolate and ice cream are not good at this time. Because they contain fat, the sugar takes longer to be absorbed by the body. We want something that will quickly increase our sugar levels.
2. Wait 15 minutes: Wait patiently for 15 minutes after eating.
3. Check your blood sugar again: Check your blood sugar with your glucometer. If it's still below 70 mg/dL, take another 15 grams of carbohydrates.
But remember one thing. Don't eat too much at once. If you do, your sugar levels can suddenly spike. So, keep eating 15 grams at a time until your sugar levels return to normal.
If your blood sugar is very low, or if the 15-15 rule doesn't work, you may need an injection or nasal spray of a hormone called glucagon. This works by raising your blood sugar levels very quickly. Ask your doctor if you should keep a glucagon rescue kit with you. It's also important to teach your family and friends how to use it in case you lose consciousness.
Every time you have low blood sugar, especially if it becomes severe, tell your doctor about it. He or she can give you advice and make any necessary changes to your treatment to prevent this from happening again.
Take-Home Message
- Identify your body's warning signs of low blood sugar (such as shakiness, sweating, and dizziness ).
- Keep your family and close friends informed about these symptoms and what to do if they occur.
- Follow the "15-15 rule" as soon as you experience the initial symptoms of low blood sugar.
- Discuss with your doctor whether you need a glucagon rescue kit to use in case of severe hypoglycemia.
- Inform your doctor about any instances of low blood sugar, especially severe cases.
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