The Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar in Children

Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can occur in children and adults alike. Low blood sugar can be caused by a number of things, but is easily preventable with supervision. Some children are more susceptible to low blood sugar and, as a parent, you will begin to notice the early signs of low blood sugar in your child as well as develop techniques for ensuring it doesn't occur.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of low blood sugar develop very quickly. A sudden mood change in the child can be the first indication, followed by being shaky, pale, a pounding heart and cold, clammy hands. While the child may feel hungry, irritable or have a headache, she may not be able to verbalize how she is feeling. These external symptoms are good signs to look for and indicate that the child needs sugar immediately.

    Solution

    • Once a child starts experiencing symptoms, he needs a spike in sugar right away. A quick way to counter the symptoms is through a fast-acting dose of sugar, such as juice, raw sugar or dextrose tablets. Four ounces of unsweetened juice or two tablespoons of plain sugar will give the body a quick shot of sugar and should begin to combat the symptoms within a few minutes.

    Prevention

    • A simple way to avoid a drop in blood sugar is be sure that your child eats on a regular basis. Going a long time without the proper nutrition, especially if the child is physically active, can lead to low blood sugar. Keeping your child on a schedule can help to ensure her blood sugar is always at an appropriate level. It is important to remember your child's schedule, even when your own schedule may not be the same that day or when you are not at home.

    Considerations

    • Meals that are high in carbohydrates can also lead to low blood sugar in children. The body believes it is getting a large amount of sugar and so it begins to produce insulin. However, with a meal high in carbohydrates, the body can produce too much insulin for the amount of food that was consumed causing the blood sugar to plummet. Keeping a healthy, balanced diet can also help to decrease your child's chances of experiencing low blood sugar.

    Misconceptions

    • Low blood sugar does not only occur in children with diabetes. Although children with diabetes need to monitor their insulin levels and blood sugar more consistently, low blood sugar can affect anyone.

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