Signs of Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, or a "hypo", is an unusually low level of glucose in the blood. This is most commonly connected with diabetes, and someone skips or misses a meal or exercises excessively. Patients with type 1 diabetes are more prone than patients with type 2 diabetes.

People who don't have diabetes can experience hypoglycemia too. It can be triggered by malnutrition and binge drinking caffeine and other unhealthy beverages. Interestingly, a survey has shown that people from New Delhi and Meghalaya are more prevalent to this health problem.

Hypoglycemia patients can be divided into 3 grades on the following clinical criteria

• Grade 1: when the patient can detect and treat hypoglycemia himself/herself
• Grade 2: when someone else has to go to the aid of the patient, but treatment is possible orally
• Grade 3 or severe hypoglycemia: when the patient is unconscious

Symptoms of hypoglycemia

• Cold, sweaty skin
• Weakness
• Faintness
• Tremors
• Headache
• Irritability
• Dullness
• Nausea
• Palpitations

Types of Hypoglycemia patients:

• Grade 1 - Patients who can detect and treat by themselves
• Grade 2 - When someone else is treating, then oral treatment is possible
• Grade 3 - When the patient is unconscious

Blood sugar levels can be tested at home with the following steps

• First, wash and dry your hands well
• Insert a test strip into your meter
• Prick the finger with a small, sharp needle
• Then smoothly squeeze and massage the finger until a drop of blood forms.
• Touch and hold the end of the test strip to the drop of blood
• Then, the meter will display the glucose level on a screen after a few seconds

Hypoglycemia Management for grade 1 and grade 2 patients

• To control the blood glucose level, eat or drink 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates like sugary drinks but without protein and fat
• 1 cup fruit juice
• 3 cup non-diet soda
• 1 cup milk
• Glucose candies and fruit juices can also help
• Frequent meals/snacks are advisable

Doctor consultation is always advisable. For the best guidance contact: http://vcure.co.in/