Glucagon initiates uptake of the stored glycogen in the liver into the bloodstream so as to increase glucose levels in the blood. More insulin than is actually needed is produced in response to the large, rapid ingestion of sugary foods. Reactive hypoglycemia can usually be relieved by dietary changes: [20].

The first important point is to add small meals at the middle of the morning and of the afternoon, when glycemia would start to decrease.

If adequate composition of the meal is found, the fall in blood glucose is thus prevented. Patients should avoid rapidly absorbed sugars and thus avoid popular soft drinks rich in glucose or sucrose. They should also be cautious with drinks associating sugar and alcohol, mainly in the fasting state.

As it is a short-term ailment, a sugar crash that was not caused by injecting too much insulin does not usually require medical intervention in most people.

The most important factors to consider when addressing this issue are the composition and timing of foods. Acute short-term low blood sugar symptoms are best treated by consuming small amounts of sweet foods, so as to regain balance in the body's carbohydrate metabolism. Suggestions include sugary foods that are quickly digested, such as:.

The anti-hypertensive class of medication known as calcium channel blockers could be useful for reactive hypoglycemia as inhibition of the calcium channels on beta islet cells can help prevent an overproduction of insulin after a meal is eaten.

If there is no hypoglycemia at the time of the symptoms, this condition is called idiopathic postprandial syndrome. It might be an " adrenergic postprandial syndrome" — blood glucose levels are normal, but the symptoms are caused through autonomic adrenergic counterregulation.

Dietary recommendations for reactive hypoglycemia can help to relieve symptoms of postprandial syndrome. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Permanent link Page information Cite this page Get shortened URL Download QR code Wikidata item.

Download as PDF Printable version. Medical condition. For the song, see SugarCrash! Main article: Idiopathic postprandial syndrome. Retrieved September 8, Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved November 8, J R Soc Interface. doi : PMC PMID National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.

Department of Health and Human Services. Archived from the original on February 8, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Mayo Clinic. Demand Media. American Dietetic Association. Retrieved November 11, November 1, S2CID Diabetes Metab. WebMD LLC. Retrieved July 6, The Hypoglycemic states - Hypoglycemia. Armenian Medical Network. Web MD Diabetes. Healthwise Incorporated. Hormonal and Metabolic Disorders.

National Health Service 3rd ed. NHS Trust Docs ID: Review date: The Reactive Hypoglycemia Sourcebook, Patrick; Edgerton, Dale S. Traditional IDs are etched with basic, key health information about the person, and some IDs now include compact USB drives that can carry a person's full medical record for use in an emergency.

As unpleasant as they may be, the symptoms of low blood glucose are useful. These symptoms tell you that you your blood glucose is low and you need to take action to bring it back into a safe range. But, many people have blood glucose readings below this level and feel no symptoms.

This is called hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia unawareness puts the person at increased risk for severe low blood glucose reactions when they need someone to help them recover. People with hypoglycemia unawareness are also less likely to be awakened from sleep when hypoglycemia occurs at night.

People with hypoglycemia unawareness need to take extra care to check blood glucose frequently. This is especially important prior to and during critical tasks such as driving. A continuous glucose monitor CGM can sound an alarm when blood glucose levels are low or start to fall.

This can be a big help for people with hypoglycemia unawareness. If you think you have hypoglycemia unawareness, speak with your health care provider.

This helps your body re-learn how to react to low blood glucose levels. This may mean increasing your target blood glucose level a new target that needs to be worked out with your diabetes care team.

It may even result in a higher A1C level, but regaining the ability to feel symptoms of lows is worth the temporary rise in blood glucose levels. This can happen when your blood glucose levels are very high and start to go down quickly. If this is happening, discuss treatment with your diabetes care team.

Your best bet is to practice good diabetes management and learn to detect hypoglycemia so you can treat it early—before it gets worse. Monitoring blood glucose, with either a meter or a CGM, is the tried and true method for preventing hypoglycemia.

Studies consistently show that the more a person checks blood glucose, the lower his or her risk of hypoglycemia. This is because you can see when blood glucose levels are dropping and can treat it before it gets too low.

Together, you can review all your data to figure out the cause of the lows. The more information you can give your health care provider, the better they can work with you to understand what's causing the lows.

Your provider may be able to help prevent low blood glucose by adjusting the timing of insulin dosing, exercise, and meals or snacks. Changing insulin doses or the types of food you eat may also do the trick. Breadcrumb Home Life with Diabetes Get the Right Care for You Hypoglycemia Low Blood Glucose.

Low blood glucose may also be referred to as an insulin reaction, or insulin shock. Signs and symptoms of low blood glucose happen quickly Each person's reaction to low blood glucose is different. Treatment—The " Rule" The rule—have 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise your blood glucose and check it after 15 minutes.

Note: Young children usually need less than 15 grams of carbs to fix a low blood glucose level: Infants may need 6 grams, toddlers may need 8 grams, and small children may need 10 grams.

This needs to be individualized for the patient, so discuss the amount needed with your diabetes team. When treating a low, the choice of carbohydrate source is important. Complex carbohydrates, or foods that contain fats along with carbs like chocolate can slow the absorption of glucose and should not be used to treat an emergency low.

Treating severe hypoglycemia Glucagon is a hormone produced in the pancreas that stimulates your liver to release stored glucose into your bloodstream when your blood glucose levels are too low.

Steps for treating a person with symptoms keeping them from being able to treat themselves. If the glucagon is injectable, inject it into the buttock, arm, or thigh, following the instructions in the kit. If your glucagon is inhalable, follow the instructions on the package to administer it into the nostril.

When the person regains consciousness usually in 5—15 minutes , they may experience nausea and vomiting. Do NOT: Inject insulin it will lower the person's blood glucose even more Provide food or fluids they can choke Causes of low blood glucose Low blood glucose is common for people with type 1 diabetes and can occur in people with type 2 diabetes taking insulin or certain medications.

Insulin Too much insulin is a definite cause of low blood glucose. Food What you eat can cause low blood glucose, including: Not enough carbohydrates. Eating foods with less carbohydrate than usual without reducing the amount of insulin taken. Timing of insulin based on whether your carbs are from liquids versus solids can affect blood glucose levels.

Liquids are absorbed much faster than solids, so timing the insulin dose to the absorption of glucose from foods can be tricky. The composition of the meal—how much fat, protein, and fiber are present—can also affect the absorption of carbohydrates.

Physical activity Exercise has many benefits. Medical IDs Many people with diabetes, particularly those who use insulin, should have a medical ID with them at all times.

Hypoglycemia unawareness occurs more frequently in those who: Frequently have low blood glucose episodes which can cause you to stop sensing the early warning signs of hypoglycemia. Have had diabetes for a long time.