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How to Identify Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)1


Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a condition that usually occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) level drops below 70 mg/dL

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) Symptoms You Should Look Out For


Everyone reacts differently to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), so it’s important to understand and recognize your own low blood sugar (glucose) symptoms. Here are some of the visible signs and feelings of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)2:

Anxiety icon

Anxiety

Irritability symptons icon

Irritability

Dizziness symptons icon

Dizziness

Headache symptons icon

Headache

Sweating

Hunger symptons icon

Hunger

Shakiness symptons icon

Shakiness

Faitigue or weakness symptons icon

Fatigue or Weakness

Rapid pulse symptons icon

Rapid Pulse

Blurred vision symptons icon

Blurred Vision

Tingling symptons icon

Tingling in Fingers or Lips

Warning Important: Always discuss low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) events and treatment actions with your doctor.

Watch 'Going Low' to Learn How to Identify the Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)2


How to Treat Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) with The Rule of 153


The only way to know if you are experiencing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is to check your blood sugar (glucose), if possible. If you are unable to check your blood sugar, treat for low blood sugar by following the Rule of 15.

How You Can Treat Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) with The Rule of 15


Here are 5 important steps you should take to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) with the Rule of 153:

Step 1 treatment icon
Step 1


If your blood sugar (glucose) is less than 3.9mmol/L take 15 grams of glucose or simple carbs.3

Step 2 treatment icon
Step 2


Recheck your blood sugar (glucose) after 15 minutes, if possible.3

Step 3 treatment icon
Step 3


If you still feel the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), repeat Step 1.3

Step 4 treatment icon
Step 4


Once your blood sugar (glucose) returns to normal, eat a small snack if your next planned meal or snack is more than an hour away.3

Step 5 treatment icon
Step 5


If you continue to experience signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) — contact your doctor OR emergency health services immediately.3

If you experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), take 15 grams of glucose or simple carbs such as4:


Glucose tablets

4 Glucose tablets (follow package instructions)

Blood sugar gel tube

Gel tube (follow package instructions)

Tablespoons of raisins

2 tablespoons of raisins

Tablespoons of syrup

1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, or corn syrup

Cup of juice

1/2 cup of juice

Cup of non diet soda

1/2 cup of non-diet soda

Cup of non fat milk

1 cup of nonfat 1% milk

Hard candies

3-5 hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops

Watch 'The Rule of 15' to Learn How to Treat Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)3


You've Just Completed the Low Blood Sugar Section


Congratulations! You should now have a better understanding of how to identify and manage the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Don't forget to check out the Starting Insulin, Why Insulin? and Living With Diabetes sections to get the basic knowledge you need for a successful insulin treatment journey.


References

  1. https://www.diabetesresearch.org/document.doc?id=275
  2. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html
  3. http://www.diabetesresearch.org/managing-diabetes/low-blood-sugar
  4. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html#sthash.8ZzF0E3L.dpuf
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