DiagnosisIf you have hypoglycemia symptoms, your health care provider will likely conduct a physical exam and review your medical history. Show If you use insulin or another diabetes medication to lower your blood sugar, and you have signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, test your blood sugar levels with a blood glucose meter. If the result shows low blood sugar (under 70 mg/dL), treat according to your diabetes treatment plan. Keep a record of your blood sugar testing results and how you treated low blood sugar levels so that your health care provider can review the information to help adjust your diabetes treatment plan. If you don't use medications known to cause hypoglycemia, your health care provider will want to know:
TreatmentImmediate hypoglycemia treatmentIf you have hypoglycemia symptoms, do the following:
Immediate treatment of severe hypoglycemiaHypoglycemia is considered severe if you need help from someone to recover. For example, if you can't eat, you might need a glucagon injection or intravenous glucose. In general, people with diabetes who are treated with insulin should have a glucagon kit for emergencies. Family and friends need to know where to find the kit and how to use it in case of emergency. If you're helping someone who is unconscious, don't try to give the person food or drink. If there's no glucagon kit available or you don't know how to use it, call for emergency medical help. Treatment of an underlying conditionPreventing recurrent hypoglycemia requires your health care provider to identify the condition causing hypoglycemia and treat it. Depending on the cause, treatment may involve:
Preparing for your appointmentIf you have diabetes and you're having repeated episodes of hypoglycemia, or if your blood sugar levels are dropping significantly, talk with your health care provider to find out how you might need to change your diabetes treatment plan. If you haven't been diagnosed with diabetes, make an appointment with your primary care provider to determine the cause of your hypoglycemia and appropriate treatment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Someone who accompanies you can help you remember the information you're given. What you can doBefore your appointment:
Questions to ask your health care provider if you have diabetes include:
Questions to ask your health care provider if you haven't been diagnosed with diabetes include:
What to expect from your doctorYour health care provider might ask you questions, including:
Your health care provider will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your appointment time. |