Glucose is an important energy source that moves our body, so it is important to properly maintain the concentration of glucose in the blood. The normal concentration of glucose in the blood, or blood sugar, is within the range of 70 to 180 mg/dL. However, if you have diabetes, your blood sugar rises abnormally. Therefore, various methods are used to bring the blood sugar level down to a normal level.
According to the Korea Diabetes Association, some insulin injections or diabetes medications lower blood sugar levels regardless of diet, exercise, or blood sugar levels, so it is called ‘hypoglycemia’, in which blood sugar levels are lower than normal. Hypoglycaemia usually progresses in three stages. Stage 1 refers to a state in which blood sugar has decreased to less than 70 mg/dL, stage 2 refers to a state in which blood sugar has decreased to less than 54 mg/dL, and stage 3 refers to a state in which consciousness and physical changes and the need for help from others state.
Hypoglycaemia is more likely to occur when △meal intake is small △mealtime is irregular △drinking alcohol on an empty stomach △exercising on an empty stomach △exercising at a higher intensity for a longer period of time than usual △insufficient dose of insulin or diabetes medication .
When hypoglycemia occurs, the skin becomes pale, the body trembles, cold sweat occurs, the sensation around the lips disappears, the body numb, and dizziness may appear. Inattention, hunger, anxiety, palpitations, and headaches are also symptoms of hypoglycemia. In severe cases, confusion, coma, and convulsions may occur.
If physical symptoms of unknown cause occur, self-monitoring of blood glucose should be performed immediately. At this time, if the level is less than 70 ml / dL, prompt action is required. If you are conscious, measure your blood sugar to check for hypoglycemia and eat 15g of sugar. If the levels are still low after 15 minutes, add 15 grams of sugar. If there is no noticeable effect, eat immediately.
Low-glycemic emergency foods include 1/2 cup juice, 3-4 candies, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 yogurt. 15 g of simple carbohydrates raises blood sugar by about 45 to 60 mg/dL, so you should take it carefully to avoid hyperglycemia.
If you lose consciousness due to low blood sugar, it’s a serious condition and it’s best to go to the emergency room. However, if it is difficult to move the patient to the emergency room right away, try feeding a little water in a position where you will not be able to hear the salae, and if you swallow well, feed the sugar water or juice carefully. If you cannot eat within an hour after eating sugar emergency food, or if your blood sugar is less than 100 mg/dL before bedtime, it is good to eat a snack containing protein and carbohydrates, such as 1 small tangerine in 1 cup of milk.
On the other hand, if you have suffered from diabetes for a long time, if you are receiving insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes, or if you have severe neurological complications, you may not feel hypoglycemia symptoms due to hypoglycemia insensitivity. If coping with hypoglycemia is delayed, people often fall into a coma and go to the emergency room, so it is important to know how to deal with it in advance.