Hypoglycemia: What It Is, Symptoms and What to Do

Hypoglycemia, often called low blood sugar, is a condition that can affect anyone, but it's especially common among people with diabetes. Understanding hypoglycemia, its symptoms and how to respond to it can help you manage it effectively.

What Is Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia happens when your blood glucose drops below 4 mmol/L. Normal blood sugar levels between meals usually range from 4 to 7 mmol/L. For most people, these levels show that the body is managing glucose effectively. It's important to maintain these levels to help prevent issues like hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), especially for people taking insulin or other diabetes medications. For those who monitor their blood sugar regularly, spotting hypoglycemia is straightforward. However, for people who don't use a glucose meter, identifying it can be trickier.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Even if you don't have diabetes, you can still have low blood sugar. Some common symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

• Heart palpitations: a fast or irregular heartbeat can be a sign that your body is reacting to low blood sugar.
• Shakiness: trembling or shaking can be a physical response to low glucose levels.
• Cold sweats: sudden sweating can happen as your body tries to cope with a lack of glucose.
• Sudden hunger: a strong urge to eat can be a sign your body needs energy right away.

If you notice these symptoms, it's important to act quickly to raise your blood sugar.

What to Do in Case of Hypoglycemia

The first step when you have symptoms of hypoglycemia is to eat simple sugars. Simple sugars are absorbed quickly by the body, causing an immediate rise in blood sugar. It's important to avoid pairing simple sugars with other foods like fat, or too much fibre or protein, since that can slow down absorption and delay recovery. Here are a few effective options to quickly raise your blood sugar:

• 150 ml of juice: a quick drink that can give you the sugar boost you need.
• 15 g of glucose tablets (such as Dex4): these are specifically designed to treat hypoglycemia.
• 15 ml of sugar, honey or maple syrup: these can be taken directly for quick energy.
• 2 Rockets candies: a fun and gentle way to raise your blood sugar.

Tracking Your Blood Sugar

After eating a simple sugar source, wait 15 minutes. Pay attention to how you feel during that time. If your symptoms improve and your blood sugar rises above 4 mmol/L, there's no need to eat more sugar. However, if your blood sugar is still below 4 mmol/L, repeat the process with another portion of simple sugar and wait another 15 minutes.

Stabilizing Your Blood Sugar

Once you're feeling better, it's important to stabilize your blood sugar to avoid another drop. If your next meal is more than an hour away, have a nutritious snack with both protein and carbs. This combination helps keep your blood sugar stable over time. For example, you could have a handful of nuts with a piece of fruit.

Conclusion

Hypoglycemia can be a serious condition, but with the right knowledge and quick action, you can manage it effectively. Recognizing the symptoms and knowing how to respond can make a real difference to your health and well-being. Always check with a healthcare professional, like a dietitian, for personalized advice, especially if you experience frequent episodes of hypoglycemia.