Prevention and Treatment of Hypoglycemia

How to prevent hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar may be prevented if you:

• eat your meals on time
• don't skip meals or snacks
• learn to adjust your food and diabetes medicine for exercise
• test your blood sugar on schedule
• do extra tests when you don't feel normal, and write down the results in your log book

How to treat hypoglycemia

You need to treat low blood sugar right away. It will not get better on its own. So be sure to keep foods that contain sugar or glucose products with you at all times. When you feel your blood sugar might be low, test your blood. If your reading is less than 70 mg/dL (or the level set by your doctor), take one of the following right away. Each one contains about 15 grams of carbohydrate:

• 3 glucose tablets (5 grams glucose each)
• 1/2 cup of fruit juice or regular soda (not sugar free)
• 6 or 7 hard candies (not sugar free)
• 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar

After eating or drinking something:

• Wait 15 minutes then test your blood sugar again. Record the number in your log book. Also, be sure to write down that you had a low blood sugar reaction.
• If you don't feel better in 15 minutes, repeat above steps (How to treat hypoglycemia).
• If your blood sugar is still low, call your doctor's office.
• If your next meal is more than an hour away, follow the sugar with something that provides carbohydrate and protein (like half a sandwich or some crackers and cheese).
• Be sure to eat your normal meal at the regular time, even if you have previously used a low blood sugar treatment.

Hypoglycemia is usually easy to treat. However, if it is not dealt with quickly, serious reactions may result. Talk with your doctor about what steps to take in case of a low blood sugar emergency, and most importantly, how to avoid one.

Important to do:

• Learn your body's warning signs of falling blood sugar.
• When you notice symptoms, test your blood sugar if you can.
• If your blood sugar is low or if you cannot test, treat yourself for hypoglycemia. If your next meal is more than an hour away, have a snack.
• Always wear or carry diabetes identification.
• Educate family members, friends, or coworkers on symptoms of and treatment for low blood sugar.
• Be sure to keep foods that contain sugar or glucose products with you at all times.

What is glucagon?

Glucagon is a prescription medicine that raises blood sugar and is important therapy for hypoglycemia. It is given as a shot just like insulin. If your blood sugar level gets so low that you pass out or can't swallow, you will need a glucagon shot. If you take insulin, your family, friends, coworkers, and exercise partners should learn how to give you a shot of glucagon. When you need glucagon, you may not be able to give it yourself.

When others should inject you with glucagon

Family, friends, coworkers, or exercise partners should give you glucagon if:

• You are unconscious.
• You are unable to eat sugar or sugar-sweetened product.

Whenever possible, it is important to test blood sugar before giving glucagon.

Glucagon is for emergencies and should be used only under the direction of your doctor. As with hypoglycemia, nausea and vomiting may occur. Generalized allergic reactions have also been reported with glucagon use.