Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) in People Without Diabetes - Treatment Overview
You can treat a sudden (acute) episode of hypoglycemia by eating or drinking some form of sugar to return your blood sugar to a normal range. This treatment is usually all that is needed for an isolated episode of hypoglycemia, such as from prolonged fasting or strenuous exercise without adequate food.
Hypoglycemia caused by a long-term (chronic) health condition requires treatment of the long-term health condition.
Treatment of acute hypoglycemia
- If you are conscious and able to respond when symptoms start, eat or drink some form of sugar. Drink fruit juice or sugared (non-diet) soda pop, or eat sugar in the form of candy, cubes, or tablets, or eat some quick-sugar food.
- Make sure your family
members, coworkers, and others close to you are aware that you may have
episodes of hypoglycemia, so they can help you.
Wear medical information on a badge
or bracelet
if you are at risk for moderate or severe
hypoglycemia, in case an episode occurs when you are away from family, friends,
or caregivers. Emergency treatment for low blood sugar
usually does not require
glucagon, but it may be needed in rare cases. - Tell the people close to you that they should call911or other emergency services if you become sleepy or unconscious. They also should seek emergency help if you are not unconscious but they do not know how to give you an injection of glucagon. Always have a medical alert bracelet or tag with you. Medical alert jewelry can be bought in pharmacies or on the Internet.
- Severe cases of hypoglycemia may require a hospital stay. You may be given additional glucose in a vein (intravenously) until your blood sugar level is stable in the normal range. This could take several days, depending on the cause.
- Future episodes of low blood sugar may be avoided if you change the behavior or situation that led to the hypoglycemia. If medicine causes hypoglycemia, you may be able to stop using it or change how it is used. Talk to your doctor about how to prevent future episodes of low blood sugar.
- Remember that low blood sugar may be only temporarily corrected with acute treatment, and you may need additional treatment. If you have a glucose meter, you should recheck your blood sugar level in 10 to 15 minutes. If you do not have a blood glucose meter, you should be alert for the return of low blood sugar symptoms and be prepared to seek emergency care.
Treatment of hypoglycemia caused by another condition
If you have low blood sugar caused by a chronic health condition, your symptoms will be treated the same as those of acute hypoglycemia. After you have recovered from the immediate symptoms, you will need treatment for the condition that is causing hypoglycemia. In many situations, after the cause is identified, new episodes of hypoglycemia can be prevented.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

