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Hypoglycemia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Insulin shock; Low blood sugar

Treatment:

A snack or drink containing sugar will raise the blood glucose level. You should see an immediate improvement in symptoms.

Infants that are born with hypoglycemia are given glucose through a vein until the body begins to control its own blood sugar level.

Persons with severe hypoglycemia are treated with glucose injections or the hormone glucagon . Immediate treatment is needed to prevent serious complications or death.

Your doctor may tell you to change your diet so that you get more even amounts of glucose into your body throughout the day. This may prevent further episodes of low blood sugar. You may be told to eat small, frequent meals with complex carbohydrates , fiber , and fat and to avoid simple sugars , alcohol, and fruit juice.

You should also eat meals at regular intervals, and balance extra exercise with extra food.

If hypoglycemia is caused by an insulinoma (insulin-secreting tumor), surgery to remove the tumor is the best treatment.

Complications:

Untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to loss of consciousness and coma. In infants, seizures and permanent damage to the nervous system may occur.

Learn to recognize the early warning signs of hypoglycemia and treat yourself rapidly and appropriately.

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room immediately or call a local emergency number (such as 911) if early signs of hypoglycemia do not improve after you've eaten a snack containing sugar.

Get immediate medical help if a person with diabetes or a history of hypoglycemia loses alertness or if you can't wake them up.

References:

Cryer PE, Davis SN, Shamoon H. Hypoglycemia in diabetes. Diabetes Care . 2003; 26(6): 1902-1912.

• Review Date: 4/26/2007
• Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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