Low blood sugar in diabetes

Hypoglycemia means that your blood sugar is low and your body (especially your brain) is not getting enough fuel. If you have diabetes, your blood sugar can go too low if you take too much of some diabetes medicines. It can also go too low if you miss a meal. And it can happen if you exercise too hard without eating enough food. Some medicines used to treat other health problems can cause low blood sugar too.

Common symptoms of low blood sugar are sweating and feeling shaky, weak, hungry, or confused. Symptoms can start quickly.

Common symptoms of high blood sugar are feeling very thirsty or very hungry. You may also pass urine more often than usual. You may have blurry vision and may lose weight without trying.

But some people may have high or low blood sugar without having any symptoms. That's a good reason to check your blood sugar on a regular schedule.

If your blood sugar is often lower than your target range, your doctor may ask about your diabetes medicine, such as how much you take and when you take it. You may be asked about when you eat and exercise. The doctor might ask about other medicines you take that could affect blood sugar.

You can treat low blood sugar by eating or drinking something that has 15 grams of carbohydrate. These should be quick-sugar foods. Check your blood sugar level again 15 minutes after having a quick-sugar food to make sure your level is getting back to your target range.

Children usually need less than 15 grams of carbohydrate. Check with your doctor or diabetes educator for the amount that is right for your child.

Here are examples of quick-sugar foods that have 15 grams of carbohydrate:

• 3 to 4 glucose tablets
• 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) of table sugar
• 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) honey
• ½ cup to ¾ cup (4 to 6 ounces) of fruit juice or regular (not diet) soda
• Hard candy (such as 6 Life Savers)

If you have problems with severe low blood sugar, someone else may have to give you glucagon. This is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels quickly.

Symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, trembling, lightheadedness, and confusion.

Check your blood sugar.

Check anytime you think your blood sugar may be low.

Adults use the "rule of 15."

If your blood sugar is low:

• Eat about 15 grams of carbohydrate from quick-sugar food, like glucose tablets. Children usually need less than 15 grams of carbohydrate. Ask your doctor or diabetes educator about the right amount for your child.
• Wait about 15 minutes after eating quick-sugar food. Check your blood sugar again.
• If blood sugar is still below 70 mg/dL, eat another 15 grams of carbohydrate from quick-sugar food.
• Repeat 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate every 15 minutes until your blood sugar is in a safe target range, such as 70 mg/dL or higher.

Know when to get help.

Get help right away if your blood sugar stays below 70 mg/dL or you're getting more sleepy and less alert.