Low Blood Glucose Symptoms – What to Watch Out For

Signs of low blood glucose are quite common among diabetics, especially those with Type I diabetes. It normally occurs when a patient has a hypoglycemic episode, which is when their body's ability to regulate its blood glucose levels goes out of whack. Other signs may be as a result of medications and may also occur at random.

Hypoglycemia, or hyperglycemia, is quite common among diabetics, as well as people who have not yet been diagnosed with the condition. It typically occurs when a person consumes too much food and has either too little insulin, or insufficient blood glucose to regulate the glucose in their bloodstream.

Some diabetes medications, such as Accutane, may cause hypoglycemia in diabetic patients. In some cases, stress can also cause low blood glucose. Other low blood glucose symptoms can be caused by the body's normal responses to insulin-related substances, such as caffeine.

For example, a diabetic who consumes a lot of sugar may experience elevated blood glucose levels for hours or even days on end

This can result in extreme discomfort for the patient, who may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, or even seizures. Other signs of low blood glucose can also occur when a diabetic patient takes medicines that can affect his body's ability to produce insulin.

Signs of low blood glucose do not need to be immediate or severe. A person with diabetes can still be in danger of developing hypoglycemia, even if there is no acute issue. This type of medical condition can result in serious complications and can even be life threatening. If you suspect you may have hypoglycemia or are experiencing these symptoms, it is best to seek medical help right away.

Even if you are experiencing these signs of low blood glucose, you should always consult your physician first before taking any action. It is best to be able to test your blood glucose level at least once per day, but this is not required unless your physician feels it is necessary. Also, you should not make major changes to your lifestyle immediately, as sudden drastic changes could lead to even more complications.

Hypoglycemia can be managed, however. A diabetic may be prescribed insulin, which will lower the level of glucose in the blood by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin, or by using an oral glucose-lowering medication, such as a glucose injection or a small dose of insulin.

A diabetic patient may also undergo a test called "challenge testing" to monitor their low blood glucose

This is a procedure where a small amount of blood from a healthy person is injected into the finger tip of an uninfected person to gauge the blood glucose level, as well as the amount of time it will take for the diabetic patient to experience hypoglycemia.

During the challenge testing process, the diabetic patient is instructed to consume a meal that contains a glucose-lowering substance (glucose) or eat a carbohydrate without the glucose-lowering substance (insulin). If the blood glucose level rises very quickly after eating the carbohydrate, the diabetic patient may experience hypoglycemia. This could result in symptoms of low blood glucose, such as vomiting, seizures, and other types of emergency medical conditions.

When your blood glucose level is at the abnormal level that can cause hypoglycemia, your doctor may then perform an oral glucose-lowering treatment, either with an injection or a capsule that you can swallow. Another option may be to take an insulin shot. This procedure involves injecting a small dose of insulin directly into your bloodstream through the vein.

This type of hypoglycemic emergency treatment can be used for people who are experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia for a prolonged period of time. If you have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia, it is important to seek immediate medical attention so your doctor can provide you with an appropriate level of treatment.

There are many options available to treat hypoglycemia, including diet changes, insulin injections, and glucose-lowering treatments. A doctor can also prescribe medications that can lower your glucose levels and help reduce your risk of developing future hypoglycemia.