Hands shaking, sweating, very hungry... may not just be hungry, but "sugar falling."

Hypoglycemia is a condition in which glucose in the blood is reduced so that the brain and its organs are insufficiently energized. It usually refers to blood glucose levels below 70 mg / dL, although some people may develop symptoms from higher levels, especially diabetics with strict sugar control.

Common warning symptoms

Initial stage (body secretes adrenaline)

* Hands shaking

* Very sweaty

* Tremors

* Unusually hungry

* Anxious

* Pale face

Where the brain lacks sugar

* Dizziness

* Speak blurred

* Overlay vision

* Confused

* Staggered walk

* Reduced concentration

* Behavior changes

Severe phase

* Seizure

* Unconscious

* Coma

* May die if not treated in a timely manner.

Common Cause

In diabetics,

* Excessive insulin injection

* Take some sugar-reducing drugs, such as Sulfonylurea.

* Eat little food or skip meals

* Exercise harder than usual

* Drink alcohol without eating.

In people who are not diabetic,

* Long fasting

* Drink a lot of alcohol

* Severe liver or kidney disease

* Some hormonal disorders

* Insulin-generating tumors (less common)

First Aid Method

If still conscious and swallowed,

Use the 15-15 Rule

1. Take 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates.

* 120-150 ml juice

* 150 ml regular soft drink

* 3 teaspoons sugar, water-soluble

* Glucose granules

2. Wait 15 minutes.

3. Check the sugar level again (if it can be checked)

4. If it is still below 70 mg / dL, eat another 15 grams of carbohydrates.

5. When symptoms improve, eat a meal or snack containing carbohydrates and protein if it is not yet time for a meal.

If you lose consciousness or can't swallow,

❌ Do not enter water, food or medicine into the mouth because of the risk of choking.

Should.

* Call Emergency Medical Unit (1669 in Thailand)

* If Glucagon Injection Kit is available and trained, it can be used according to the instructions.

* Arrange patients to lie on their side to prevent choking.

* Hurry to the hospital

Who's at high risk?

* Diabetes patients using insulin

* Sulfonylurea drug users

* Elderly

* People with chronic kidney disease

* Those who exercise hard

* He who fasts or fails to eat on time.

* Alcohol drinker on an empty stomach

How to prevent

* Eat on time

* Not skipping meals

* Sugar check on doctor's advice

* Carry sugar or glucose pellets

* Adjust the dose when exercising or eating less according to the doctor's instructions.

* Inform people close to you how to help when hypoglycemia occurs.

What's the difference between hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia?

Sugar fall, high sugar

Born early, often gradually.

Sweating, cold body, shaking hands, dry mouth, thirsty, frequent urine

Very hungry. Anorexic.

Confusion, seizures, rapid unconsciousness, if severe, may seep and lose consciousness from complications.

Summary

Sugar is an emergency that should be addressed quickly, because the brain relies on glucose as its primary source of energy; if there are symptoms of suspicion, it should rush to give fast-acting carbohydrates in those who are still conscious and swallowing, or rush to call an emergency medical unit when the patient is unconscious or unable to swallow.

Important messages to remember

* Sugar level < 70 mg / dL is considered a low sugar condition that should be corrected immediately.

* The main symptoms are shaking hands, sweating, palpitating, very hungry, confused.

* Use the 15-15 Rule in those who are still conscious.

* Do not feed food or water to unconscious persons and immediately call 1669.

# Sugar fall # Hands shaking # Sweating # Dark face # Dizzy