Diabetes in children (6 of 9) - Hypoglycemia

Welcome to our video series Taking Control of your child's diabetes .

My name is Lisette .

If your child has low blood sugar , also known as hypoglycemia , you may have many questions .

This occurs when there is little glucose in the blood blood sugars .

Below 70 are considered low .

When this happens , the body does not have the source of energy .

It needs to function properly .

Hypoglycemia may be caused by missing meals or snacks and also if there's too much time between meals .

Additionally , it can happen if your child exercises more than usual has received too much insulin or if he or she is sick , especially with vomiting and or diarrhea , it is very important to know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia because a low blood sugar can happen quickly and must be treated immediately .

If not treated loss of consciousness or seizure can occur .

Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia are shaking , sweating , feeling anxious , dizzy , hungry , a fast heartbeat or having impaired vision , weakness and or fatigue , headache and irritability .

I am often asked how to treat hypoglycemia .

If your child has signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia , check his or her blood sugar immediately with the glucometer if the sugar is low , which is below 70 .

Have your child eat or drink a 15 to 20 g , fast acting carbohydrate snack that contains only carbohydrates with no fat or protein fat is absorbed slower in the stomach .

So it will take longer for the carbohydrate to be absorbed and enter the bloodstream .

Chocolate candy should not be used to treat hypoglycemia because it contains fat which slows digestion and does not allow glucose to enter the bloodstream .

Fast enough , fast acting carbohydrates should raise the blood glucose level within 15 minutes and the child should begin to feel better .

It is important to check the blood sugar level again .

After 15 minutes of the child having consumed a fast acting carbohydrate if it is still below 70 give another fast acting carbohydrate and recheck the blood glucose level 15 minutes later , after treating the hypoglycemia , successfully give a light snack that contains one carbohydrate and one protein .

If the next meal or snack is more than one hour away , this will keep the blood sugar level within goal range .

Now , you know about hypoglycemia , please remember hypoglycemia which is a low blood sugar should be treated immediately .

We are here for your child and to support you if you have any questions , do not hesitate to contact your diabetes team .

Please continue watching this video series to learn more .

Thank you for being an active member of your child's diabetes team .