Hypoglycemia

hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia means blood sugar that is too low for normal body and brain function. Common signs include shakiness, sweating, a fast heartbeat, hunger, irritability, confusion, and trouble concentrating; if it gets severe, a person can pass out, have a seizure, or become unable to care for themselves. It most often happens to people taking insulin or certain diabetes medications when they miss meals, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or take too much medicine. The brain depends on glucose for fuel, so low levels quickly affect thinking, coordination, and consciousness, which makes hypoglycemia potentially dangerous, especially while driving or operating machinery. Treatment is straightforward and urgent: consuming fast-acting carbohydrates like glucose tablets, fruit juice, or candy usually raises blood sugar within minutes, and emergency glucagon injections are used if the person cannot swallow. Preventing episodes involves monitoring blood sugar regularly, adjusting medication doses with a health professional, having regular meals and snacks, and planning for exercise and alcohol intake. People with frequent low blood sugar may lose the warning signs and should work closely with their healthcare team to adjust their care. Understanding hypoglycemia matters because timely recognition and treatment prevent serious harm and because managing it well lets people with diabetes live safer, more active lives.