11/05/2013

Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is common in diabetic patients with type 1 diabetes and occasionally occurs in people with type 2 diabetes who take oral hypoglycemic medications. Hypoglycemia is the result of an error in the dose of insulin, exercise and available carbohydrates usually due to a missed meal.



The symptoms of hypoglycemia from a compensatory response of autonomic nervous system and impaired brain function due to a decrease in glucose available to the brain. The onset of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients is sudden with blood glucose levels less then 45-60 mg/dL. In severe cases, death may occur.



For the diabetic there are two forms of hypoglycemia that can experience; mild and severe.



For mild hypoglycemia, immediate treatment is necessary. With diabetes experiencing hypoglycemia should take about 15 grams of fast acting sugar. This amount of sugar is found, for example, three glucose tablets, ฝ Cup of juice or regular soda, 8 ounces skim milk, five Life Savers candies, three large marshmallow or 3 teaspoons of sugar or honey. Sugar should not be added to the juice. Adding sugar sugar in fruit juice may cause a rapid rise in blood sugar, causing persistent hyperglycemia.



If symptoms of hypoglycemia are continuing to follow the 15/15 rule. Wait 15 minutes, check your blood glucose levels and if it's still low eat another 15 grams of carbohydrates. This procedure can be repeated until the blood glucose levels are back to normal. People with diabetes should have a source of carbohydrates available as long as you can deal with hypoglycemic symptoms quickly. When hypoglycemia continues to occur over two or three times a week for an adjustment of diabetes management plan may be in order.



Diabetics suffering from severe hypoglycemia often need to be hospitalized to get their symptoms under control. The criteria for hospitalization are one or more of the following.



• Blood glucose is below 50 mg/dL, and immediate treatment of hypoglycemia did not bring in the recovery of symptoms.
• Diabetic has altered behavior, convulsions or coma.
• Hypoglycemia was treated, but a responsible adult may not be with the customer for 12 hours following.
• Hypoglycemia was induced by a sulfonylurea drug.



If the diabetic is conscious and alert should be given 10 to 15 g of carbohydrate. If you are semi-conscious glucose or glucagon is given by injection or IV which is the fastest way to increase blood glucose levels. Glucagon is used in severe cases of hypoglycemia induced by insulin to increase glucose levels quickly. Acts quickly, but does not last long, so it is important that some form of carbohydrate be administered after its use to prevent the recurrence of hypoglycemia. In case of unconsciousness glucagon can cause vomiting diabetic when he regains consciousness.



Diabetic Hypoglycemia is a condition not to be taken lightly. At the first signs of its effects is important to initiate actions to counteract the effects.
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