Hypoglycemia Treatment: For Diabetics and Nondiabetics
Hypoglycemia is defined as “low blood sugar”. When symptoms of hypoglycemia are early diagnosed, this condition can be treated without medical intervention. Low blood sugar occurs more often in people with diabetes, but there are also rare cases when nondiabetics may also be susceptible to hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia
The most common signs of low blood sugar are: dizziness, weakness, tremors, hunger, nervousness, sweating, cold, pale skin or hands and feet tingling.
In diabetics, symptoms of hypoglycemia may include: headache, nausea, rapid heartbeats, uncooperative behavior suggesting confusion or drunk, loss of consciousness, coma or convulsions.
Hypoglycemia treatment
Hypoglycemia is the only condition when the patient can be treated by food: frequent meals and sweet treats! Most remedies for hypoglycemia focus on regulation of content and program of diet in order to ensure a sufficient supply of glucose and insulin.
Many people like the idea of treating hypoglycemia with sweet treats such as cake, cookies and brownies. However, complex carbohydrate sugar or sugar mixed with fat and protein is absorbed too slowly, making it a useless treatment for acute hypoglycemia.
Low sugar blood diet includes:
1. Frequent small meals (at least six a day) containing foods rich in:
• carbohydrates: beans, pasta, potatoes and bread)
• fiber – vegetables
• fats and simple carbohydrates in limited quantities: candies, cakes
• drinks: spring water and natural fruit juice
2. Supplements of chrome in order to improve blood glucose levels. This mineral is found in
• yeast, bread and grains, cheese and lean meat.
3. Avoid alcohol (a simple carbohydrate), caffeine and cigarette smoke, as they may cause high levels of blood glucose.
How to treat hypoglycemia attack
During an attack of hypoglycemia is recommended to perform an injection of glucose into the bloodstream through an injection of glucagon, a hormone that helps the body to regulate blood glucose level.
Acute management of hypoglycemia involves the rapid administration of an easily absorbed sugar source. Regular soft drinks, juices, candy and table sugar are good choices. Overall, 15 grams of glucose is the recommended dose, followed by an evaluation of symptoms and blood glucose check if possible. In 10 minutes after the event there is no notable, another dose of 10 to 15 grams should be injected. This may be repeated up to three times. At that point, it should be considered that patient does not respond to treatment and should be requested an ambulance.
The equivalent of 10-15 grams of glucose is:
• 4 tablespoons of sugar
• half a box of regular soda or fruit juice
Once the acute episode was treated, you can consume a healthy amount of carbohydrates to maintain blood sugar levels within range. Half a sandwich is a reasonable choice.
Diabetic hypoglycemia
Diabetics must constantly wear a necklace or bracelet stating their disease so that medical personnel can ensure appropriate treatment if the patient becomes disoriented or unconscious during an attack of hypoglycemia.
For diabetics, long-term conventional treatment of hypoglycemia is directed to regulate blood glucose levels and insulin, while trying to maintain the right balance between them. In many cases, this balance can be achieved by resorting to simple diet changes. For diabetics who need insulin, an untreated hypoglycemia can lead to coma or permanent brain damage.
Alternative medicine of hypoglycemia focuses on nutrition and dietary supplements of vitamins, minerals and herbs.
