One of the hazards of diabetes is extreme fluctuations in blood sugar levels, either from very high blood sugar levels to very low. Failure to control these fluctuations can cause changes that can influence behavior or at worst, create serious health risks. For this reason maintaining the correct blood sugar levels is of utmost importance.

In this article we will talk about emergency measures that a person with diabetes can do when their sugar runs too low.

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar

Some symptoms of low blood sugar levels include feeling very weak, shaky, having a racing heart, and feeling faint. They may feel listless and experience an inner sense of panic. This happens because low blood sugar levels in the body cause a rise in adrenaline, and too much adrenaline in your system incites panic.

Adrenaline is a hormone that forces your liver to put sugar back in the bloodstream. This causes the person’s inner balance to go awry. To rectify this the body sends an emergency signal to the brain.

The person then feels the need to eat something very quickly. In a situation like this, they should reach for something very sweet that can be quickly absorbed into the blood stream. Here are some options:

1. Glucose tablets. These can be bought at any drug store. Take three of them and follow it up with a glass of juice.
2. Regular soft drinks. This goes into the blood stream very quickly and within seconds you can feel the difference. Be sure that it is a regular soft drink, and not the diet or light version, nor the Max versions.
3. Hard candies. It is a good idea to keep hard candies with you wherever you go so that when you get that feeling you can just take one or two. However, follow it up with regular food. Otherwise your sugar will do a fast drop again.

What is Low Blood Sugar

Generally low blood sugar falls under seventy, while normal blood sugar levels are 120. Ironically, some diabetics can tolerate blood sugar levels of up to 200. As a result when their numbers go down to the normal range of 120 they experience all the symptoms low blood sugar levels under 70–even though their numbers are at the right level.

In such case they should treat their symptoms by taking a little bit of carbohydrates so they will be more comfortable and will not feel overly stressed.

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