Low Blood Sugar Treatment

Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, in medical terms, is a condition characterized by a sudden drop in the blood sugar levels. This is a common condition that can occur in people of any age group, however, it is mostly observed in elderly people and infants. There are several causes of this disorder, diabetes, being one of the most common causes. Hypoglycemia generally occurs as a side effect of medications taken for treating diabetes. A person with blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL is said to have low blood sugar. Treatment involves determining its cause and raising the sugar levels as soon as possible to avoid further complications.

Low Blood Sugar Causes

As I said earlier, there are several factors that can cause your blood sugar level to drop suddenly. People with diabetes are more prone to it, as an overdose of insulin can lower the blood sugar level by considerable amounts. Irregular functioning of some vital organs of our body such as liver and kidneys, abnormal secretion of certain hormones and use of medications such as beta blockers, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are some of the causes. It can also be a symptom of some other serious medical condition. Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly thus becomes important.

Hypoglycemia Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia vary depending on how low the blood sugar drops. Sweating, dizziness, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, lack of concentration, headaches, blurred vision, vertigo and panic attacks are some of the common signs of low blood sugar. In extreme cases of low glucose levels, a person may experience difficulty in thinking, confusion, frequent seizures and unconsciousness. It is therefore important to get hypoglycemia treatment as soon as the signs and symptoms appear. A person may not experience all the symptoms. Treatment for hypoglycemia varies depending upon the nature and severity of these symptoms.

Hypoglycemia Treatment

The immediate treatment involves raising the blood sugar as early as possible by consuming one of these quick-action foods:

• Glucose tablets
• Table sugar
• Fruit juice
• Milk
• Honey

The next step is to check the glucose level in blood within 15 minutes to make sure it is in the normal blood sugar range. If it is still below 70 mg/dL, another serving of quick action foods may be needed. Extreme cases may require immediate medical attention.

Once your blood glucose level is back to normal, the next step is to determine the cause. Determining the cause that led to this condition can help in preventing future episodes. People who experience frequent blood sugar level dips should consult their medical care provider as soon as possible. Certain changes in the diet and lifestyle, change in the medication or a new physical activity plan may be needed to prevent the lowering of their blood sugar.

It is observed that a diet containing refined sugars and carbohydrates aggravates hypoglycemia. Caffeine, alcohol and white flour are also some of the common triggers. One needs to get a hypoglycemia diet planned for him by consulting a doctor. The prescribed diet can differ from person to person. It is important for those suffering from this condition to pay attention to the way their body responds to certain foods and then draft a diet plan with the help of a chart for blood sugar levels. Following this diet plan strictly and exercising regularly can help cure the problem.

It is recommended that diabetics as well as others who are at a risk for low blood glucose should frequently monitor their sugar levels. A glucose levels chart can help you keep a track of your sugar levels.