What is an appropriate treatment for hypoglycemia?

Answer 1

Give sugar immediately. Glucose tablets are available at pharmacies for this purpose. If you don't have glucose tabs, give 6 ounces juice (or soda) or 4 teaspoons of sugar. If after 10 mins things aren't better, give more sugar. For an attack where the person cannot swallow, the sugar can be put in the mouth around the gums for quick absorption.

Answer 2

A diabetic experiencing hypoglycemia from insulin overdose can be treated instantly (within a minute) with glucose or fructose on a mucous membrane. The easiest way if conscious is to take a teaspoonful of syrup, honey, or sugar by mouth. If unconscious, syrup or jam may be rubbed on the gums or even inserted anally in emergencies.

Note that although this treatment acts instantly, it can wear off very quickly too. If the insulin overdose was large, patient should immediately eat some lower GI-index carbohydrates (wild rice, whole-wheat pasta, non-white carbohydrate), which will enter the bloodstream more slowly and keep blood sugar elevated until the insulin dose wears off.