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 necessary 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 develop, 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 other quick-sugar foods
- 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. Emergency treatment for people who do not use insulin usually does not require glucagon, but it may be needed in rare cases.
- Tell the people close to you that they should call 911 or 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 hospitalization. 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 by changing 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 avoid future episodes of low blood sugar.
- It is important to 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.
Low blood sugar may have a long-term cause that can be cured, such as some endocrine disorders or diseases of the liver, adrenal glands, or pancreas. Effective long-term treatment of an insulin-producing tumor in the pancreas (insulinoma) usually requires surgery.
Even if the condition that is causing your hypoglycemia is not curable, treatment often can prevent episodes of low blood sugar. Talk to your doctor about whether you can modify your diet (what, when, or how much you eat), change the dosage or types of medicines you take, or modify your physical activity (such as when and how hard you exercise).
This type of management is most common for people who have diabetes, other chronic health conditions that may require long-term treatment (liver disease, kidney failure, or endocrine disorders), and inherited enzyme or hormone deficiencies. It may also be useful for people who have alcohol-related illnesses.
 Go to previous section |  Go to top of page |  Go to next section |
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: April 12, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology | |
 | ||
| |
| Topic Contents | |
| Topic Overview | |
| Symptoms | |
| Exams and Tests | |
 | Treatment Overview |
| Home Treatment | |
| Related Information | |
| References | |
| Credits | |