Hypoglycemia and diabetes mellitus

Hypoglycemia is defined as blood sugars below 70 mg/dl occur when there is too much of insulin or not enough sugar in the blood. Hypoglycemia is most common among people who take insulin, but it can also occur on oral diabetes medications.

Causes

• Taking 2 or 3 antidiabetic medicines
• Not taking food after insulin or antidiabetic medications
• Alcohol consumption
• Increasing physical activity without eating more 

Signs and symptoms (red flags) include

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Shakiness
• Clumsiness
• Weakness
• Sweating
• Irritability and moodiness
• Headache
• Double or blurred vision
• Palpitations
• Dizziness

Complications

• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Even death in some cases

Diagnosis

• Signs and symptoms
• Low blood glucose levels
• Correction of signs and symptoms with intravenous dextrose

Prevention

• If you have diabetes – To take regular antidiabetic medications, not to skip meals after taking antidiabetic medications or insulin

Treatment

• Early symptoms of hypoglycemia usually treated by consuming sugar, such as eating candy, drinking fruit juice or taking glucose tablets to raise your blood sugar level.
• If the symptoms are more severe, impairing the ability to take sugar by mouth, you may need intravenous Dextrose or an injection of glucagon.