|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

How to Tell When a Diabetic's Sugar Is Low

Low blood sugar in diabetics, or hypoglycemia, is when your body has too much insulin. Levels of glucose in your body get extremely low, resulting in various symptoms. Taking too much insulin or not eating a meal will contribute to hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can't always be prevented; which is why knowing warning signs are necessary to prevent complications. Not treating low blood sugar in diabetics can lead to diabetic coma and even death.

Things You'll Need

  • Glucose tablets
  • Glucagon emergency kit
Show More

Instructions

  1. Warning Signs

    • 1

      Notice if your loved one develops a switch in personality. Shifting to moodiness or becoming anxious suddenly are symptoms of blood sugar dropping.

    • 2

      Watch for shakiness, sweating and dizziness. Hypoglycemia may also cause a diabetic to become overly hungry or develop headaches.

    • 3

      Listen to how your loved one speaks. A hypoglycemic will become confused and be unable to speak clearly.

    Night Symptoms

    • 4

      Check your bed linens for wetness. Your clothing and bed sheets can become soaked with sweat.

    • 5

      Watch if your loved one suffers from nightmares. Your loved one may also toss and turn or speak in his sleep.

    • 6

      Determine if you feel rested in the mornings. Feeling exhausted or confused when waking are symptoms of hypoglycemia.

    Emergency

    • 7

      Enlist the help of family if you develop muscle weakness or seizures. Other emergency symptoms include impaired vision and heart palpitations.

    • 8

      Administer a glucagon injection if you have a kit available. This should only be done if there is a loss of consciousness. Call for emergency help.

    • 9

      Avoid administering insulin during a hypoglycemic attack. Insulin injections will continue to lower your blood sugar, which is dangerous.

Diabetes - Related Articles