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Recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Symptoms of hypoglycemia include extreme hunger, dizziness, weakness, tiredness, shaking, sweating, and sometimes headache. In extreme cases, hypoglycemia can cause slurred speech, confusion, unconsciousness, and even death if left untreated. It is a common symptom of diabetes.
Treatment for a conscious person is simple; give them something sweet to eat or drink (orange juice, non-diet soda, fruit, etc). If semi-conscious, putting maple syrup inside their mouth will sometimes wake them up enough to drink something-do NOT give them more than you can fit on your finger to wake them up, or they may choke. If unconscious, and unable to wake them by putting something sweet in their mouth, get them to a hospital as soon as possible. NEVER give an unconscious diabetic an injection of insulin for low blood sugar!
If you are treating your own hypoglycemia, eating small meals spaced 2-3 hours apart will keep your blood sugar level more even than the standard three-meals-a-day. If you "crash out", and start seeing spots, feeling light-headed, etc, eat or drink 15 grams of sugar, and re-test your blood glucose in 15-20 minutes. If you can still having symptoms, have another 10-15 grams of sugar; if you still feel weak after that, you probably should seek medical attention.

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