Hypoglycemia

When you and/or your child checks her blood glucose, it's important to know what to do if her blood glucose results are outside of her target range. When her blood glucose is below her target range, she is probably experiencing hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia (also called an insulin reaction) occurs when blood glucose goes too low. Hypoglycemia can be caused by a number of factors: too much insulin, not enough food, too much exercise, eating late, or eating too little carbohydrates. In short, it happens when insulin and blood glucose are out of balance.

People without diabetes usually don't get hypoglycemia. Their body can tell when it has enough insulin and stops releasing it automatically. But people with diabetes have to figure out how much insulin their body will need. Once the insulin is injected, it keeps working until it's gone -- even if the blood glucose goes too low.

Mild or moderate hypoglycemia is pretty common for children and adults who take insulin. But it can be dangerous if it's not treated right away. Mild or moderate hypoglycemia can turn severe -- leading to coma -- pretty quickly. So knowing about hypoglycemia is very important -- not just for you and your child, but for family, friends, teachers, and coaches.

Nighttime & Exercise Induced Hypoglycemia
Find out about the warning signs of nighttime and exercise induced hypoglcemia. 

Hypoglycemia Prevention and Over Treatment
Learn how to prevent and properly treat hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia Busters
This section includes easy solutions for treating hypoglycemia.