What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is a condition where someone’s blood sugar is abnormally low.
What are some symptoms of hypoglycemia?
Symptoms of mild hypoglycemia may include: hunger, heart palpitations, anxiety, and irritability. If a person is severely hypoglycemic, he or she may have a seizure or lose consciousness.
What are some things that may trigger hypoglycemia?
In diabetic individuals, taking too much insulin can cause blood sugar to drop to abnormal levels. Additionally, not eating enough, certain medications, kidney problems, and alcohol abuse may also cause hypoglycemia.
What is the treatment for hypoglycemia?
Treatment for hypoglycemia usually involves eating or drinking something that will raise the blood sugar quickly. Glucose tablets, lumps of sugar, and fruit juice all have a high sugar concentration that will help raise a person’s blood sugar rapidly. After ingesting a sugar rich food or drink, a person should eat some complex carbohydrates such as rice, bread, or pasta. If a person is severely hypoglycemic and cannot relieve his or her symptoms at home, he or she will need to go to the hospital.
How can hypoglycemia be prevented?
Checking one’s blood sugar regularly and eating frequent, small meals will help keep glucose levels in check.