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Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) (cont.)

Hypoglycemia Treatment

Self-Care at Home

A glucose monitor is available for people to check their own blood sugars in the comfort and privacy of their own home.

  • This entails poking yourself on a fingertip or the forearm to get a drop of blood.
  • The blood is transferred to a special strip of paper that is placed into the glucose meter (called a glucometer) which analyzes the blood. The meter gives a numeric reading that corresponds to the blood glucose level.

If you find someone who has the symptoms of hypoglycemia, look for clues that explain the symptoms.

  • If the person has a recently disposed needle, you can presume that a change in their level of consciousness may be due to hypoglycemia. He or she may have accidentally taken too much insulin.
  • If the person is awake enough to drink something, you can give them a cup of orange juice, cake icing, or water containing table sugar. If hypoglycemia was the cause of their confusion, they will improve within 5-10 minutes.


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Hypoglycemia »

Hypoglycemia is a syndrome characterized by a reduction in plasma glucose concentration to a level that may induce symptoms of low blood sugar.

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