May have treated your diabetes with insulin injections, medications, and a healthy diet. Keep trying and celebrate your careful management, but don’t let your guard down! Hypoglycemia may still occur.
High insulin levels in the body and eating too little sugary food can lead to hypoglycemia. If left untreated, this can cause insulin shock, which can lead to seizures or fainting.
Follow these simple tips to stay away from the risk of hypoglycemia.
- Recognize your own hypoglycemia symptoms. Everyone reacts differently to hypoglycemia. People who experience hypoglycemia may feel shaky, sweaty, or have a fast heartbeat, or may find themselves grumpy and irritable. It is important to know your warning signs of hypoglycemia so that you can deal with them before more serious consequences arise.
- Check your blood sugar levels as soon as the signs appear. There are different types of screening devices available. For “whole blood,” a blood glucose reading below 70 mg/dl means hypoglycemia. For newer devices that test “plasma glucose,” a reading of 80 mg/dl or lower means hypoglycemia. Ask your doctor what your target blood glucose should be.
- Carry foods with instant sugar. Eat 15 grams of simple carbohydrates to bring your blood sugar up to a safe level quickly. Foods with protein and fat don’t work fast enough. Try the following foods.
- Three to four glucose tablets.
- 1/2 cup (about 120 ml) of fruit juice.
- 1/2 cups of regular (not sugar-free) soda.
- A small piece of fruit (e.g., apple, orange) or half a banana.
- 1 tablespoon sugar, eaten straight or dissolved in water.
- Rest for 15 minutes. If you feel sick after eating and your blood glucose is still low, eat another 15 grams of food with instant sugar and retest your blood glucose. Repeat this until blood glucose levels return to normal. If it will be an hour or more before you eat your next meal, eat another snack to prevent your blood sugar from dropping again.
- Prepare for emergencies. If blood glucose levels are not raised in time, you may go into insulin shock, which is dangerous. Discuss with your doctor the need to prescribe a glucagon kit. Glucagon is an injectable hormone that releases the body’s stored glucose into the bloodstream. Glucagon may be applied if blood sugar cannot be raised by means of eating.
- Ask others for help. Don’t wait until an emergency to tell someone you have diabetes. Family, co-workers and friends often need to help the person. Tell them about the symptoms of hypoglycemia and the types and amounts of food they can provide to help. If emergency glucagon injections are available, family, co-workers, and friends should learn how to inject the medication into the patient’s arm, hip, or thigh, or know to call 120 if the patient collapses.
- Wear a medical alert card. Always wear a medical identification wristband or necklace that contains your health information so that you can receive emergency treatment if you faint.
- Communicate with your doctor. Most patients have mild hypoglycemia that is easily treated. If hypoglycemia occurs several times in a week or if symptoms are severe, tell your doctor. Changes in medications, diet, or even exercise plans may be needed, as exercise can affect insulin levels.