Hypoglycemia symptoms, like weakness, nausea, confusion and fainting, can emerge when blood sugar levels are too low, usually less than 70 mg/dL (4 mmol/L).
Hypoglycemia is most common in people with diabetes and can result from medication errors, including taking the wrong dose of a medication or taking the right medication but at the wrong time. Hypoglycemia can also result from going too long without eating, drinking too much alcohol, or engaging in intense physical exercise.
Hypoglycemia can sometimes be confused with low blood pressure, however these two conditions can be differentiated by the symptoms involved and when these symptoms arise.
Common symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
- Hunger and weakness;
- Nausea;
- Sweating;
- Dizziness;
- Sleepiness;
- Numbness or tingling of the lips or tongue;
- Shaking;
- Cold sweats;
- Irritability;
- Feeling nervous or anxious;
- Mood changes;
- Confusion;
- Headache;
- Heart palpitations;
- Loss of coordination;
- Seizures;
- Fainting.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can occur at any age, and are more common in people with diabetes who have difficultly controlling their blood sugar.
Also recommended: Hypoglycemia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment tuasaude.com/en/hypoglycemiaConfirming a diagnosis
Diagnosing hypoglycemia involves a glucose test that measures the concentration of sugar in the blood. This test may require you to be fasting, so be sure to check with your healthcare provider beforehand.
Glucose tests involve a blood draw at the lab or the use of a glucometer, which is a portable machine that can read the results of a fingerstick in just a few seconds.
Hypoglycemia is generally defined as blood sugar levels less than 70 mg/dL (4 mmol/L).
What to do
It is important to treat an episode of hypoglycemia right away, as soon as it is recognized. This involves consuming easy-to-digest carbohydrates, such as 4 oz (1/2 cup) of orange juice or 4 glucose tablets.
Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately if you witness someone faint or come across a person who is unconscious. If available, give an injection of glucagon right away. If glucagon is not available, try rubbing a sugar paste made from sugar and a few drops of water on the inside of the person's cheeks and under the tongue. This will guarantee rapid absorption of the sugar into the bloodstream and avoid choking.