For many people, fasting blood glucose of 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or 3.9 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or less should serve as an alarm for hypoglycemia. But your numbers may be different. Ask your doctor. Other causes of hypoglycemia in diabetics are: These sample phrases are automatically selected from various online information sources to reflect the current use of the word « hypoglycemia ». The views expressed in the examples do not represent the views of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us your feedback. Emotional symptoms of hypoglycemia include depression and anxiety. If the person is unconscious, a glucagon kit may be used to treat severe hypoglycemia, which delivers glucagon either by injection into a muscle or by nasal inhalation. [2] [3] [10] In the United States, glucacon kits are available by prescription for diabetics to wear in case of severe hypoglycemia. [22] [23] Emergency services should be asked for additional assistance.

[2] For people with diabetes, prevention begins with learning about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. [3] [2] Diabetes medications such as insulin, sulfonylureas, and biguanides may also be adjusted or stopped to prevent hypoglycemia. [3] [2] Frequent and regular blood glucose measurements are recommended. [1] [3] Some may find continuous glucose meters with insulin pumps useful in treating diabetes and preventing hypoglycemia. [3] In people with diabetes, hypoglycemia is often a side effect of diabetes medications. Eating or drinking something with carbohydrates can help. If this happens frequently, your doctor may need to change your treatment plan. Once blood sugar levels fall out of the normal range, additional protective mechanisms work to prevent hypoglycemia. [3] [10] The pancreas is reported to release glucagon, a hormone that increases glucose production by the liver and kidneys and increases muscle and fat breakdown to fuel gluconeogenesis. [3] [11] When high glucagon does not raise blood sugar levels to normal, the adrenal glands release adrenaline. [3] [10] Epinephrine also increases gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis while decreasing glucose utilization by organs and protecting glucose delivery to the brain.

[3] [10] If you have diabetes, episodes of hypoglycemia are uncomfortable and can be frightening. Fear of hypoglycemia can cause you to take less insulin to make sure your blood sugar doesn`t get too low. This can lead to uncontrolled diabetes. Talk to your doctor about your anxiety and don`t change your dose of diabetes medication without discussing the changes with your doctor. Retrieved 2 December 2022. The most common cause of hypoglycemia in diabetics is medications used to treat diabetes, such as insulin, sulfonylureas and biguanides. [3] [2] [6] This is often due to excessive doses or poorly synchronized doses. [3] Sometimes diabetics may take insulin in preparation for a meal or snack, and missing or forgetting that meal leads to hypoglycemia. [3] This is due to an increase in insulin without the presence of glucose from the planned meal.

[3] Seek emergency help for someone with diabetes or a history of hypoglycemia who has symptoms of severe hypoglycemia or loses consciousness. Over time, repeated episodes of hypoglycemia can lead to ignorance of hypoglycemia. The body and brain no longer produce signs and symptoms that warn of hypoglycemia, such as tremors or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).