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.