Patient education: Low blood sugar in adults – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

During your visit to the ED, the doctors found your blood sugar level was low. This is called "hypoglycemia."

Many things can cause low blood sugar. Some are serious things, like problems with the pancreas or an illness affecting the liver or kidneys. Less serious things ,like drinking alcohol or certain medicines, can also cause low blood sugar.

If you have diabetes and take medicines to lower your blood sugar, other things can cause very low blood sugar. You might have not eaten enough food, waited too long to eat, or exercised too much without a snack. Your blood sugar might be low because your diabetes medicine was changed or you took too much.

The doctor thinks your low blood sugar is not an immediate danger. You can manage it at home. But it is important to follow up with your regular doctor.

You might be waiting on test results. The staff will contact you if there are concerning results.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment.

●Take all your medicines as instructed.

●If you take medicine for diabetes, always carry a quick source of sugar with you. Examples include:

•3 or 4 glucose tablets

•1/2 cup (4 ounces) of juice or regular (not diet) soda

•2 tablespoons of raisins

•4 or 5 saltine crackers

•1 tablespoon of sugar

•1 tablespoon of honey or corn syrup

•6 to 8 hard candies

●If you have diabetes, make sure you know how and when to check your blood sugar at home.

●Know the symptoms of low blood sugar, so you can treat it quickly if it happens again. Symptoms include sweating or shaking, feeling hungry, and feeling anxious. If you do not eat or drink a quick source of sugar to treat your low blood sugar, more severe symptoms can happen. These include weakness, trouble walking or seeing, feeling very confused, passing out, or seizures.

●Do not drink alcohol without eating.

●Eat a small snack before exercising.

●Try not to skip meals. It might help to eat smaller meals more often.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:

•Have a seizure

•Are still confused 15 minutes after having a quick source of sugar

•Pass out

●Return to the ED if you:

•Feel very lightheaded, or like you are going to pass out

•Feel weak, like you are going to fall

•Have blurry vision or trouble seeing

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you have:

●Symptoms of low blood sugar more frequently

●New or worsening symptoms

More on this topic

Patient education: Low blood sugar in people with diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Low blood sugar in people without diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Checking your blood sugar at home (The Basics)
Patient education: Keeping track of your blood sugar (The Basics)

Patient education: Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people with diabetes (Beyond the Basics)