Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk of HypoglycemiaSymptomsPreventionTreatmentComplicationsWhen to Get Emergency HelpFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk of Hypoglycemia
Symptoms
Prevention
Treatment
Complications
When to Get Emergency Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a common complication of insulin therapy intype 1 diabetes. Most people taking insulin have experienced hypoglycemic episodes.Hypoglycemia can be dangerous, leading to seizures, coma, and death if left untreated, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and know what to do if you experience low blood sugar.
This article will discusshypoglycemiaand its risks, symptoms, and management.
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Risks of Hypoglycemia With Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produceinsulin. Insulin is a hormone that signals cells to take up sugar from the blood, thus loweringblood sugar.People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to keep blood sugar in a healthy range.
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemiacan be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, based on how low the blood sugar is. Symptoms become more serious the lower the blood sugar becomes.
Preparedness and Prevention
Being aware of what can lower blood sugar and cause hypoglycemic episodes is an important way to prevent these episodes from happening in the first place. The following canincrease the risk of hypoglycemia:
If you take insulin, it’s important to check your blood sugar frequently. Discuss with your healthcare provider a plan for how often and at what times to check your blood sugar. Tell your healthcare provider about any changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or health, including any illnesses you’re experiencing, so your insulin dose can be appropriately adjusted.
Despite being careful about your blood sugar, it’s always a good idea to be prepared if low blood sugar happens to you. If you have diabetes, it’s also important to let your family, friends, and coworkers know what to do in the event of an emergency.
Hypoglycemia UnawarenessSome people do not notice any symptoms when their blood sugar is low. This is known as hypoglycemia unawareness, and can happen to people who have had diabetes for a long time, who have had many episodes of hypoglycemia, or who take certain medications like beta-blockers.People with hypoglycemia unawareness need to be extra cautious and frequentlycheck blood sugar.
Hypoglycemia Unawareness
Some people do not notice any symptoms when their blood sugar is low. This is known as hypoglycemia unawareness, and can happen to people who have had diabetes for a long time, who have had many episodes of hypoglycemia, or who take certain medications like beta-blockers.People with hypoglycemia unawareness need to be extra cautious and frequentlycheck blood sugar.
Treatment of Hypoglycemia
If you experience signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, or if your measured blood sugar is low, don’t wait to gettreatment. Blood sugar drops can become more severe with time. People who take insulin should be familiar with the 15-15 rule and have quick access to simple sugars that can raise their blood sugar.
The 15-15 Rule
Complications of Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia can be dangerous and result in the following:
For this reason, it’s important to be aware of early symptoms of low blood sugar that you can treat to prevent these complications.
Mild to moderate hypoglycemic episodes that resolve with treatment are not necessarily a reason to seek emergency medical care, however you should talk to your healthcare provider if you have frequent hypoglycemic episodes, since an adjustment to your insulin dose may be needed.
Summary
Hypoglycemic episodes are common in type 1 diabetes and can cause severe complications. Being aware of early symptoms of low blood sugar and using the 15-15 rule can prevent blood sugar from dropping to dangerous levels.
A Word From Verywell
It can be a challenge to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range with type 1 diabetes. Your healthcare team can help get you on a regimen that works for you. Make sure to communicate any changes in your diet, exercise regimen, or health, such as an acute illness or upcoming surgery, with your diabetes provider so that your insulin dose can be adjusted to prevent hypoglycemia.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia in diabetes, particularly if you have not eaten a meal before or while drinking alcohol. Your liver releases glucose, or sugar, into the blood to keep blood sugar levels in an appropriate range. However, when you drink alcohol, the liver has to metabolize alcohol and can fail to appropriately regulate blood sugar. People who take insulin are at higher risk of hypoglycemia from alcohol.In addition, drinking alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia unawareness.Learn MoreAlcohol and DiabetesDo not take insulin if your blood sugar is low and you have symptoms since this can lead to a dangerous drop in your blood sugar.However, if your blood sugar is on the mildly low side, you do not have symptoms, and it is time for your scheduled insulin dose, the answer is more complicated. It will depend on whether your blood sugar is rising or falling, the last time you took insulin, the time of day, and your meal routine. This should be discussed with your diabetes care provider.Learn MoreHypoglycemia
Yes, alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia in diabetes, particularly if you have not eaten a meal before or while drinking alcohol. Your liver releases glucose, or sugar, into the blood to keep blood sugar levels in an appropriate range. However, when you drink alcohol, the liver has to metabolize alcohol and can fail to appropriately regulate blood sugar. People who take insulin are at higher risk of hypoglycemia from alcohol.In addition, drinking alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia unawareness.Learn MoreAlcohol and Diabetes
Yes, alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia in diabetes, particularly if you have not eaten a meal before or while drinking alcohol. Your liver releases glucose, or sugar, into the blood to keep blood sugar levels in an appropriate range. However, when you drink alcohol, the liver has to metabolize alcohol and can fail to appropriately regulate blood sugar. People who take insulin are at higher risk of hypoglycemia from alcohol.In addition, drinking alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia unawareness.
Learn MoreAlcohol and Diabetes
Do not take insulin if your blood sugar is low and you have symptoms since this can lead to a dangerous drop in your blood sugar.However, if your blood sugar is on the mildly low side, you do not have symptoms, and it is time for your scheduled insulin dose, the answer is more complicated. It will depend on whether your blood sugar is rising or falling, the last time you took insulin, the time of day, and your meal routine. This should be discussed with your diabetes care provider.Learn MoreHypoglycemia
Do not take insulin if your blood sugar is low and you have symptoms since this can lead to a dangerous drop in your blood sugar.However, if your blood sugar is on the mildly low side, you do not have symptoms, and it is time for your scheduled insulin dose, the answer is more complicated. It will depend on whether your blood sugar is rising or falling, the last time you took insulin, the time of day, and your meal routine. This should be discussed with your diabetes care provider.
Learn MoreHypoglycemia
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Briscoe V, Davis SN.Hypoglycemia in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Physiology, pathophysiology, and management.Clin Diabetes. 2006;24(3):115-121. doi:10.2337/diaclin.24.3.115American Diabetes Association.Blood sugar and insulin at work.American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).Endocrine Society.Know hypo: Stay safe from severe hypoglycemia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Briscoe V, Davis SN.Hypoglycemia in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Physiology, pathophysiology, and management.Clin Diabetes. 2006;24(3):115-121. doi:10.2337/diaclin.24.3.115American Diabetes Association.Blood sugar and insulin at work.American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).Endocrine Society.Know hypo: Stay safe from severe hypoglycemia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Briscoe V, Davis SN.Hypoglycemia in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Physiology, pathophysiology, and management.Clin Diabetes. 2006;24(3):115-121. doi:10.2337/diaclin.24.3.115American Diabetes Association.Blood sugar and insulin at work.American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).Endocrine Society.Know hypo: Stay safe from severe hypoglycemia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.
Briscoe V, Davis SN.Hypoglycemia in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Physiology, pathophysiology, and management.Clin Diabetes. 2006;24(3):115-121. doi:10.2337/diaclin.24.3.115
American Diabetes Association.Blood sugar and insulin at work.
American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
Endocrine Society.Know hypo: Stay safe from severe hypoglycemia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.
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