Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia also called low blood sugar or low blood glucose, occurs when
your blood glucose's drop too low to provide enough energy for your body's
activities.

In adults or children older than 10 years, hypoglycemia is uncommon except as a
side effect of diabetes treatment, but it can result from other medications, or
diseases, hormone or enzyme deficiencies or tumors.

Glucose, a form of sugar is an important fuel for your body. Carbohydrates are
the main dietary sources of glucose. Rice, potatoes, bread, tortillas, cereal, milk,
fruit, and sweets are all carb-rich foods.

After a meal, glucose molecules are absorbed into your bloodstream and carried
to the cells where they are used for energy. Insulin, a hormone produced by your
pancreas helps glucose enter cells. If you take in more glucose than your body
needs at the time. Your body stores the extra glucose in your liver and muscles in
a form called glycogen. Your body can use the stored glucose whenever it is
needed for energy between meals.

Extra glucose can also be converted to fat and stored in the fat cells.
When BG's begin to fall, glucagons, another hormone produced by the pancreas,
signals the liver to break down glycogen and release glucose, causing BG level's
to rise toward a normal level. If you have diabetes, this glucagons response to
hypoglycemia may be impaired, making it harder for your glucose levels to return
to the normal range.

Some symptoms of hypoglycemia include, hunger, nervousness, shakiness,
perspiration, dizziness or light-headedness, sleepiness, confusion, difficulty
speaking, feeling anxious or weak.

Hypoglycemia can also happen while you are sleeping, you might cry out or have
nightmares, find that your pajamas or sheets are damp from perspiration or you
feel tired and irritable or confused when you wake up.

Hypoglycemia can be a side effect of your diabetes medications to keep your BG
levels in control. Usually it is mild and can easily be treated by eating or drinking
something with carbs, but left untreated can lead to loss of consciousness.
Although hypoglycemia can happen suddenly, it can usually be treated quickly
bringing your BG level back to normal.

Causes of Hypoglycemia in people taking certain blood glucose lowering meds,
BG can fall too low for a number of reasons: meals or snacks that are to small,
delayed or skipped, excessive doses of insulin or some diabetes meds, including
sulfonylureas and meglitinides (alpha-glycosidase, inhibitors, biguanides, and
tiazolidinediones alone should not cause hypoglycemia, but can when used with
other diabetes meds) increased activity or exercise, excessive drinking of
alcohol.

Your diabetes treatment plan is designed to match your medication dosage and
schedule to your usual meals and activities. If you take insulin but then skip a
meal, the insulin will still lower your BG, but it will not find the food it is designed
to break down. This mismatch might result in hypoglycemia.

To help prevent this from happening you should keep in mind several things.
Take your meds as scheduled. Eat your meals and snacks on time or as close to
time as possible. If you have a change in your daily activity, talk with your health
care team about whether you should have a snack or adjust your meds before
sports or exercise that is different.

If you think your BG is to low, use a blood glucose meter to check your level. If it
is 70 or below have ONE of these "quick fixes":

2 or 3 glucose tables
1/2 cup (4 ounces) of any fruit juice
1/2 cup (4 ounces) of a regular (not diet) soft drink
1 cup of milk
5 or 6 pieces of hard candy
1 or 2 teaspoons or sugar or honey

After 15 minutes check your BG again to make sure that is is no longer to low. If it
is still to low, have another serving. Keep repeating these steps until your BG's
are at least 70 and if it will be at least an hour or more before a meal, have a
small snack.

If you take insulin or diabetes meds that can cause hypoglycemia, always carry
one of the quick fix food with you. Wearing a medical identification bracelet or
necklace is also a good idea.

Prevention of hypoglycemia while you are driving a vehicle is especially
important!! Checking your BG levels frequently and snacking as needed to keep
your BG above 70 mg/dl will help prevent accidents.