Community Health Charities of Florida - August 2011

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood glucose, which is common among people with diabetes. It can occur even when you're trying hard to manage your blood sugar levels.

The American Diabetes Association says while you can't always prevent hypoglycemia, you can take steps to treat it if you know the warning signs:

·        Sweating or turning pale.

·        Feeling dizzy or shaking.

·        Developing a headache.

·        Feeling hungry.

·        Showing moodiness or rapid behavior changes.

·        Moving awkwardly or clumsily.

·        Having a seizure.

·        Acting confused or having problems paying attention.

·        Having a tingly feeling around the mouth.

The quickest way to raise your blood glucose and treat hypoglycemia is with some form of sugar. Many people with diabetes like to carry glucose tablets. You can get glucose tablets at any drugstore and at many other stores as well. Make sure to pack emergency snacks or glucose tablets in your child’s backpack when they return to school.

Other sources of sugar or simple carbohydrates also work well to treat hypoglycemia, such as fruit juice, hard candies, pretzels or crackers.  The important thing is to get at least 15-20 grams of sugars or carbohydrates. A food's nutrition label can tell you how much you need to eat of that food to get enough to treat an episode of hypoglycemia.  To treat hypoglycemia, you should stick with something that is mostly sugar or carbohydrates. Foods that have a lot of fat as well as sugars and carbohydrates, such as chocolate or cookies, do not work as quickly to raise blood glucose levels.

Hypoglycemia is correlated to alcoholism! Read More in Roberta Ruggiero's August Blog Here.

Source: American Diabetes Association and The Hypoglycemia Support Foundation

Read more about Hypoglycemia by visiting www.hypoglycemia.org