Understanding Hypoglycemia: Diabetes A Plan For Living


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Understanding hypoglycemia


Anyone who takes insulin or other glucose-lowering medications, either alone or in combination with other antidiabetic drugs, is prone to hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is less common among people with type 2 diabetes than among those with type 1, but it can be serious when it occurs. Blood sugar may fall abnormally low from too much insulin, too much exercise, too little food or carbohydrates, a missed or delayed meal, or a combination of these factors. As you pursue near-normal blood sugar control more aggressively, your risk for hypoglycemia increases.

It's important that people with diabetes, and those who live and work with them, learn to recognize and understand hypoglycemia so it can be prevented and treated before it becomes a life-threatening crisis (see "Severe hypoglycemia").

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

  • nervousness

  • weakness

  • hunger

  • lightheadedness or dizziness

  • trembling

  • sweating

  • rapid heartbeat

  • feeling cold and clammy

  • irritability

  • confusion

  • drowsiness

  • slurred speech

  • double vision

  • in severe cases, loss of consciousness, seizures, and even coma

   Understanding hypoglycemia: 1 of 4   


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Last updated: January 23, 2007

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