This is a resource for providing first aid to common ailments seen at camp. This Is not to be taken as medical advice. If ever in doubt, please escalate to a medical professional or call 911.
Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. Symptoms include:
- Weakness or feeling tired
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Headache
- Hunger
- Feeling uneasy, nervous, or anxious
- Feeling cranky
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Double or blurry vision
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
Sometimes blood sugar may be too low even if symptoms are not present. If it gets too low, a person may faint, have a seizure, or go into a coma.
The most common causes of low blood sugar are:
- Taking insulin or diabetes medicine at the wrong time
- Taking too much insulin or diabetes medicine
- Not eating enough during meals or snacks after having taken insulin or diabetes medicine
- Skipping meals
- Waiting too long after taking medicine to eat meals
- Exercising a lot or at a time that is unusual
- Not adjusting insulin dose before exercising
What to Do When Blood Sugar Gets Low
If possible, check blood sugar whenever symptoms of low blood sugar are present. If blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL, treat person right away.
- Eat something that has about 15 grams of carbohydrates. Examples are:
- 3 glucose tablets
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of fruit juice or regular, non-diet soda
- 5 or 6 hard candies
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, plain or dissolved in water
- 1 tablespoon of honey or syrup
- Wait about 15 minutes before eating any more. Be careful not to eat too much. This can cause high blood sugar and weight gain.
- Check blood sugar again.
Source: A.D.A.M. http://printer-friendly.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=117&pid=60&gid=000085&c_custid=815