You could try your hardest, but sometimes you might not keep your blood sugar levels from rising too high, or getting too low. When this happens, you will benefit from following some of the tips in this article to help control your blood sugar levels immediately.

If your blood sugar levels are low – typically below 70 mg/dL – you have hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar. If you are suffering from diabetes, it is common to have low blood sugar levels. Failing to control your blood sugar could lead to stroke, heart attack, and even death.

Causes

There are various issues that could cause low blood sugar levels, such as food intake and the amount of exercise you receive. The food you eat is necessary for energy; therefore, lack of food could lead to low blood glucose levels. If your body is unable to produce enough energy to function, the effect could be life-threatening.

Other causes of hypoglycemia include:

• Alcohol use.
• Metabolic problems.
• Liver, kidney, or pancreas disease.
• Certain surgical procedures, such as stomach surgery.
• Reactions to certain medications.

Symptoms

Tests can be done to determine your blood glucose levels. Test your blood sugar levels as often as possible; doing so allows you to treat the issue before it becomes too serious.

Some of the low blood sugar symptoms include:

• Sweating – Specifically Near the Back of Your Hairline
• Restlessness
• Personality Changes
• Loss of Consciousness
• Blurred Vision
• Loss of Balance
• Slight Nausea
• Irritability
• Headaches and Dizziness

The symptoms of hypoglycemia will vary from person-to-person. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, test blood glucose levels immediately.

Foods

If you are suffering from low blood sugar, you will need to eat foods and beverages that have a great deal of complex carbohydrates, as well as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. When you eat vegetables or fruits, make sure you eat them raw. Processed food is not good for your body, especially if you have diabetes.

Some of the foods that could prevent hypoglycemia are:

• Nuts
• Wheat Germ
• Vinegar
• Lemon Juice
• Acidic Fruits
• Artichokes
• Celery

Do not skip meals; this could cause you to have low blood sugar levels. Carry snacks  with you to eat in case your blood sugar levels become too low.

How to Raise Blood Sugar Levels Quickly

There are some types of foods you can eat that have the potential to raise your blood sugar levels quickly. If you have a blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL, you should eat at least 15 grams of carbohydrates that contains sugar.

Here are some examples of what you should eat to raise your blood sugar levels quickly:

• A tablespoon of honey or jam
• One half-cup of regular fruit juice (do not drink diet or sugar free juice when you are trying to raise your blood sugar levels)
• Three glucose tablets
• 8 ounces of 1% milk or nonfat milk
• Raisins – 2 tablespoons
• Five to six pieces of hard candies, gumdrops, or jelly beans

Exercise

Exercise is a good way to lower your blood glucose levels, but you do not want those sugar levels to become too low. According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, when you exercise, you deplete your glycogen stores and sugar levels. To prevent this from happening, you will need to exercise less and at least two hours before you go to bed.

When you exercise, check your blood glucose levels before and after your workout. Intense workouts might lead to low blood sugar levels. To keep your blood sugar levels from dropping too low, you could

• Increase the number of carbohydrates you eat before you exercise
• Decrease the amount of insulin you take after exercise
• Double the size of your bedtime snack after you have exercised
• Do not drink alcohol before or after you exercise
• Refrain from using hot tubs, saunas, or steam rooms after you have exercised

To prevent low glucose levels, eat a snack immediately following your workout. Make sure the snack contains at least 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Be Prepared

Always keep food or snacks with you if you experience low blood sugar levels. Remember to check your blood sugar levels often. For more information about testing your blood sugar levels, click here.

Consult your doctor to receive more information pertaining to low blood sugar levels, and methods or medications that can help you get those levels under control.

Give yourself the best chance to live a healthy life.

 References

“Hypoglycemia (Low blood glucose).” American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html. Accessed on September 23, 2013.

“When Your Blood Glucose is Too High or Too Low.” National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/lowglucose.aspx. Accessed on September 8, 2013.

“Low Blood Sugar Basics.” Blood Sugar Basics. Retrieved from http://bloodsugarbasics.com/low-blood-sugar-basics. Accessed on September 23, 2013.

“Why is my Blood Glucose Sometimes Low After Physical Activity?” Joslin Diabetes Center. Retrieved from http://www.joslin.org/info/why_is_my_blood_glucose_sometimes_low_after_physical_activity.html. Accessed on September 8, 2013.

“Maintaining Blood Sugar: Foods to Quickly Lower Levels.” Fitday. Retrieved from http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/carbs/maintaining-blood-sugar-foods-to-quickly-lower-levels.html. Accessed on September 8, 2013.