How to Recognize a Drop in Blood Sugar

Often diabetics who are insulin dependent will experience a rapid drop in blood sugar levels. This can be caused by a number of factors such as too much insulin, strenuous exercise, not eating enough at snack time or meal time or skipping meals altogether. It's important to be able to recognize the signs of a drop in blood sugar in order to give proper and immediate treatment.

Instructions

• 1

  Check to see if the person is feeling hungry or having hunger pains in their stomach. Extreme hunger due to waiting too long to eat can be one of the first signs of a drop in blood sugar.

• 2

  Look for signs of trembling or shakiness. Shakiness is not normal when blood sugar levels are normal.

• 3

  Observe if the person has a rapid heart rate or has sweaty or clammy skin. This can also be a result of exercise, so look for this symptom paired with something else as well.

• 4

  See if the person has pale or grayish looking skin color.

• 5

  Find out if the person has a headache, feels moody, drowsy, cranky, weak or dizzy.

• 6

  Watch for signs of unsteadiness or clumsiness when walking.

• 7

  Consider whether the person seems confused, combative or if they are experiencing blurred or double vision.