What to do when your blood sugar drops

Submitted by PatientsEngage on 24 October 2016

Hypoglycaemia or a sharp drop in blood sugar levels can cause severe discomfort and dizziness and, in some extreme cases, even death. Dr Roshani Sanghani, renowned endocrinologist and the founder of Aasaan Health Solutions shares valuable tips on how to tackle a condition which can afflict any person with diabetes at any given time.

Many patients are troubled by sudden and unexpected blood sugar levels dropping. When the level drops below 70 mg/dl, it is considered hypogylcemia! Hypogylcaemia is considered a matter of concern and should be addressed immediately.

Follow these quick and easy steps when hypogylcaemia hits or blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dl:

  • Watch out for signs of Hypogylcaemia such as shaking, dizziness, headache, excessive sweating, anxiety, irritability etc.
  • Measure the blood glucose levels using a home glucometer device.
  • Drink 150 ml of plain milk or 75ml of any fruit juice (fresh or processed). The idea is to intake 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise the blood glucose levels by 15 points.
  • Rest for 15 minutes and recheck the blood sugar levels.
  • If the levels have risen, just try to relax. If levels have not risen, then repeat steps 3 & 4.
  • Keep a diary of food intake and medication dosage to investigate the trigger you’re your hypogylcemia. This will help you to avoid such triggers in the future.
  • Inform your doctor about your hypogylcaemia episode at your next visit. If medication is causing the drop, then your doctor may decide to lower your dosage.
     

Pic below: Dr. Roshani conducting an information session for patients at her clinic.

Changed
03/Nov/2017
Community
Diabetes
Condition
Diabetes

Stories

  • Diabetes is 80% dependent on lifestyle
    Says diabetes guru and activist Dr Anoop Misra. “A healthy lifestyle can alter genetic expression”. Plus, his advice on how to keep this silent predator at bay, fast food for kids, the ‘Diabetes Rath’, busting diabetes myths, and more.   Q1. India is home to 17% of the world's diabetics. Are we prepared to deal with the ever-growing numbers? First, the economics. The current expenditure on diabetes treatment in India is approximately 95 USD (Rs. 6000)/person/annum as per IDF atlas, 2014,…
  • Diabetes Prevention
    Diabetes Prevention
    Prevention of Diabetes Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented but onset of Type 2 diabetes in most cases may be prevented by watching your diet, managing your weight and changing your lifestyle. At the very least the progression of Type 2 diabetes can be managed. Regular screening for diabetes plays a very important role. Undergoing routine screenings for diabetes, especially if there is a family history of Type 1 / Type 2 diabetes or presence of risk factors can help detect the condition at an…
  • Diabetes Management
    Diabetes Management
    Managing blood sugars effectively is really important in reducing your risk of future diabetes complications. Untreated diabetes can lead to many serious complications. Complications of diabetes: Acute complications require immediate medical attention. Hypoglycemia: Occurs when blood sugar levels drop to dangerously low levels, resulting in symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures or loss of consciousness. Hyperglycemia: Prolonged high blood sugar levels…
  • Diabetes Treatments
    Diabetes Treatment
    There are number of treatments available to treat diabetes. Treatments are individualized based on factors such as age, overall health, and presence of other medical conditions. Image 1 - Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes: Pancreas does not produce adequate insulin (Type 1 diabetes), or the body unable to use insulin appropriately (Type 2 diabetes) which results in impaired glucose metabolism For Type 1 diabetes, insulin injection is prescribed whereas for Type 2 diabetes, insulin or medications are…
  • Diabetes Tests
    Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis
    Testing for diabetes is essential in identifying individuals with the condition or those at risk. Various tests are available to diagnose diabetes and assess blood sugar control. Here are some common tests for diabetes: Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG): This is a blood test that is done first thing in the morning. You have to fast for eight hours before the test. You are allowed to drink water.  If your fasting blood glucose is 100 mg/dL - 125 mg/dL you are considered Prediabetic. If it…
  • Diabetes Types Stages
    Types of Diabetes
    There are different types and stages of diabetes Prediabetes: is when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diabetes. Simply put, prediabetes puts you at risk of developing diabetes unless you change your lifestyle and bring down the amount of glucose in your blood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15 to 30 per cent of prediabetics develop Type 2 Diabetes within five years if they do not change their lifestyle. But just…
  • Diabetes Symptoms
    Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
    You could have no symptoms or you could have one or more of the following symptoms. These symptoms are common for both Type 1 Diabetes (earlier called Juvenile diabetes) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Increased thirst Frequent urination Blurred vision Extreme fatigue  Weight loss Increased hunger Irritability Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet Frequent skin, bladder or gum infections Wounds that don't heal
  • Diabetes Causes Risks
    Causes of Diabetes and Risk Factors
    Are you at risk of developing diabetes? Yes if you are: 45 years of age or older Overweight with a BMI (Body mass index) of 25 or over.  Is your waist measurement more than 35cm (for women) and 40cm (for men) Physically inactive Have a close relative with diabetes Have a history of gestational diabetes or delivering an overweight baby (> 9 pounds) Have polycystic ovary syndrome High triglycerides or low HDL (good) cholesterol Have had abnormal blood sugar tests in the past Have heart…
  • 5 Rupees Ayurveda drug BGR-34 for Diabetes approved by AYUSH
    A herbal drug for diabetes that costs Rs.5 per pill, developed by two Lucknow-based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratories, the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), and licensed to Delhi-based Aimil Pharamaceuticals Pvt. Ltd for commercialization, has been launched in parts of north India. The drug, branded BGR-34, is a combination of natural extracts derived from four plant species…
  • Yoga for managing Diabetes - E-book
    Exercise is a key element in managing Diabetes. While some prefer walking or running, others prefer yoga and weight training. You can read how they included Yoga in their regimen. https://www.patientsengage.com/personal-voices/focus-exercise-and-diet-control https://www.patientsengage.com/personal-voices/move-it So we hand picked simple asanas for our members and put it together in this E-book.  You can download it from here: https://www.patientsengage.com/yogabooklet For more…