About Low Blood Sugar Comas

Low blood sugar is also known as hypoglycemia. This is a condition where your glucose---blood sugar---levels are much lower than normal. Glucose is the byproduct of carbohydrates and is the main source of energy for the human body. Primary hypoglycemia---meaning it is not a side effect of another condition---is actually unusual. Low blood sugar is most common amongst Type I diabetics who are insulin users, because insulin helps regulate your glucose levels. Low blood sugar comas are also sometimes called insulin shock.

Factors contributing to low blood sugar

• Blood glucose levels drop for many reasons: You aren't eating enough, you've increased the amount you exercise without increasing your food intake, or you're not taking the right amount of insulin or other diabetic medicine. Alcohol intake can also lead to low blood sugar levels in those without diabetes. Hypoglycemia may also signal a pancreatic tumor or liver disease.

Testing for low blood sugar

• In emergency situations, a blood glucose test is done if blood sugar is suspected to be either too high or too low. This is the same test diabetics use daily to help them choose what or how much to eat or the amount of insulin they need to control their symptoms. In general, a blood glucose level of less than 70 mg/dL is considered too low. According to Lab Tests Online, for primary hypoglycemia, that number is less than 40 mg/dL.

Symptoms

• While unusual, extremely low blood sugar can lead to coma, so it's important to recognize the symptoms. These are:
  • A shaky or a nervous feeling---you may feel your heart is pounding too hard
  • Sweating
  • Irritability
  • Hunger
  • Confusion

  For longtime diabetics, the physical symptoms tend to fade, so it's important to recognize if your speech is slowing or your coordination seems off, as these will be the primary signs of low blood sugar.

Treatment

• In general, low blood sugar is more annoying than dangerous, and just having a bite to eat is normally adequate treatment. Diabetics are encouraged to keep snacks containing sugar with them at all times to avoid any potential problems. Once you ingest your snack, wait 15 minutes; if you're still feeling symptomatic, eat another snack. If you lose consciousness, a glucagon injection is given so glucose can be immediately introduced into the blood stream. Glucagon injection kits can be purchased to keep on hand for this emergency treatment. Emergency personnel will administer this injection or give you intravenous glucose if they find you unconscious or unable to safely take anything by mouth.

Prevention/Solution

• While hypoglycemia may not be totally preventable in diabetics, it can be kept to a minimum by eating regular meals, maintaining a regular exercise program and testing blood sugar levels regularly. If you anticipate an increase in your daily workout, you need to adjust your food intake as well.

Warning

• Low blood sugar comas are a medical emergency. If you aren't able to get immediate medical attention, you may end up with permanent brain damage or even die.