Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) What You Need to Know

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https://www.e-therapeutics.ca/print/new/documents/MA_PI/en/psc1027/p...

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) — What You Need to Know What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia occurs when a person's blood sugar level is too low. It can be a serious condition, especially for people who have diabetes. If you are using medications (pills or insulin), you are at risk for hypoglycemia.

What are the signs of hypoglycemia?

Early signs of hypoglycemia include sweating, hunger, shakiness, heart palpitations (heavy, fast heartbeats), anxiety, feeling irritable, mood or behaviour changes, numb lips or tongue and headache.

Tips to manage hypoglycemia:

Always carry a source of fast sugar (such as glucose tablets, juice box or regular soft drink) and a snack (such as 6 crackers and cheese or peanut butter). At the first sign(s) of low blood sugar, check your blood glucose value if you have a meter and eat one of the following fast sugar (carbohydrate) sources right away: 15 grams glucose (glucose tablets) 3/4 cup of orange juice

6 Life Savers candies (chewed)

15 mL or 3 packets of sugar dissolved in water or 15 mL (3 teaspoonfuls) of honey 3/4 cup regular soft drink

After 10–15 minutes, if you don't feel better or your blood glucose level is less than 4 mmol/L, take one of the items listed above again. If your blood sugar level is still low after another 10–15 minutes, be taken to the nearest emergency department.

If the hypoglycemia is severe (blood glucose less than 2.8 mmol/L), eat 20 grams of carbohydrate (for example, 4 packets or teaspoons of sugar). Wait 15 minutes, retest blood glucose and if below 4 mmol/L, take 15 grams of carbohydrate. If your blood sugar is over 4 mmol/L but your next meal or snack is 30 minutes or more away, immediately eat a snack of 6 crackers and 1 ounce of cheese or 1 slice of bread and a tablespoonful of peanut butter or equivalent. If you are having a hypoglycemic reaction and are not able to swallow, a support person should get medical attention for you as soon as possible. Families and friends should be taught how to give glucagon if you are unconscious and should call 911 as soon as possible.

If you are taking the medication acarbose (Prandase/Glucobay) and have a hypoglycemic reaction, you must take a commercially available source of glucose such as glucose tablets, milk or honey. Acarbose prevents other sugars from being quickly absorbed. Teach family members and friends, or have your diabetes health care provider help teach them, how to administer glucagon in situations when your hypoglycemia does not respond to any of the above treatments. The package insert for glucagon also gives specific directions about how to use it. CPhA does not assume any legal liability and makes no representation or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or usefulness of this information. Once printed there is no quarantee the information is up-to-date. [Printed on: 03-03-2016 01:39 PM] RxTx, Minor Ailments: Information for Patients © Canadian Pharmacists Association, 2016. All rights reserved

03-Mar-16 1:39 PM