Low Blood Sugar 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.
  
  
  • Usually this entails sticking yourself in the finger with a tiny needle called a lancet to get a drop of blood.
    
    
  • The blood is transferred to a special strip of paper that is then placed into the glucose meter, or glucometer, which analyzes the blood. This gives a numeric reading that corresponds to the blood glucose level.
• If you find someone who has the symptoms of low blood sugar, look for clues that explain the symptoms.
  
  
  • If the person has diabetes and still has his or her insulin and a recently disposed needle, you can presume that a change in their level of consciousness may be due to low blood sugar (they have accidentally taken too much insulin).
    
    
  • If the person is awake enough to drink something, you can give them a cup of orange juice with sugar. If low blood sugar was the cause of their confusion, they will improve after a few minutes.

Medical Treatment

Treatment, either in the hospital or at your doctor's office, usually includes IV glucose or glucagon injections given into your muscle.