If you take insulin or sure otherdiabetes medicationsthat work by making the trunk produce more insulin , you may be at risk of developing hypoglycemia , or scurvy blood sugar . Without quick attention , hypoglycemia can lead to serious complications , so it ’s significant to know what to do if it befall to you or someone close to you .
“ In very stark face , hypoglycemia can lead to seizuresor loss of knowingness , ” saysMarilyn Tan , MD , a clinical assistant prof of medicine at Stanford Health Care and top dog of the Stanford Endocrine Clinic in Palo Alto , California .
It ’s potential to have humble blood line scratch but have no symptoms , accord to theNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases ( NIDDK ) . On the other hand , symptoms can also come on apace . While symptom vary from person to mortal , if you develop balmy to moderate lowblood sugaryou may :
“ Some citizenry finger prickle or numbness in their appendage too , ” saysRodolfo Galindo , MD , an endocrinologist with the University of Miami Health Systems in Florida .
Your Hypoglycemia Action Plan
If you are at risk for low blood lettuce due to your diabetes treatment , it is important to always have some rapid - act as gelt with you in case you need to treat yourself . If you experiencesymptoms of hypoglycaemia , take natural action with these step :
Test your blood sugar . If you agnise any of these symptoms and believe your blood dough may be too downhearted , test your pedigree bread with your glucose meter , Dr. Tan says . Anything less than 70 milligram per deciliter ( mg / dl ) is considered crushed stemma sugar , according to theNIDDK . However , target horizontal surface are often individualized , so tattle with your healthcare supplier about your optimum numbers , Tan adds .
Eat or drink fast - act carbs . If you have lowly origin sugar , you postulate to take activeness right away . Your best bet is to consume about 15 g ( g ) of carbohydrates , the NIDDK says . Some choice let in :
you’re able to also take three to four glucose tablets or a tube of glucose colloidal gel , Dr. Galindo says .
Wait , then retest . The next step is to wait 15 minutes , thentest your blood sugaragain . If blood refined sugar has reached 100 mg / dl or groovy , you ’re fine . If not …
… Repeat . If your pedigree sugar is still low , exhaust another 15 gravitational constant of carbohydrates , wait another 15 bit , and retest . “ You necessitate to retell these steps until your blood sugar is corrected , ” Galindo say . It is important not to treat humiliated glucose with nutrient like chocolate or bar because the fat in these foods may not allow the simoleons to be take in quickly enough .
What to do when your blood sugar is back to normal . Once you experience better , it ’s important to wipe out some protein to keep your line cabbage within normal range , Tan aver . Smart options admit a handful of goober , some peanut butter , or tall mallow . “ A sandwich with ham or turkey is a good choice , too , ” saysBruce Evans , a paramedic , instrument panel member of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians , and chief of the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District in Bayfield , Colorado . But once your blood sugar levels are stable again , you could otherwise resume your activity , Tan adds .
When to call your doctor . If you ’re get trouble keep your bloodline clams up , call your Dr. or go to the nearest emergency elbow room . Untreated hypoglycaemia could induce you to have a seizure or become unconscious , theNIDDKsays .
How to Help Others Help You
It ’s lively to know thesigns of grim ancestry shekels , have an military action programme , and be prepared with your glucose meter and glucose tablets . But sometimes you might need to rely on other hoi polloi to facilitate when your blood bread drop too low , and especially since low-pitched blood sugar can also sham your alertness and thinking . Take these additional steps so you ’re prepared — and they are , too :
Teach your loved ones . If you ’re unable to help yourself , your friends , syndicate , or colleagues may need to treat you with glucagon ( Glucagen ) , a hormone that separate your liver to relinquish stored glucose , theAmerican Diabetes Association ( ADA)says . Glucagon can be given by simple injectant into the fat of the stomach , second joint , or arm , or by using a prefilled pen - like machine , prefilled syringe or vial , or also by nasal spray . For this rationality , it ’s a secure idea to carry an parking brake glucagon kit and teach those close to you what to do . If they do n’t acknowledge how to give you the injectant or if glucagon is n’t available , they must call 911 and get you the help you necessitate , Evans says . Low blood sugar that ’s sustain for a prolonged time can direct to irreversible brain harm , accord to the ADA .
don an ID bracelet . Evans indicate that everyone with diabetes should wear a medical ID wristband or pack a notecase card . These identifier should intelligibly observe that you have diabetes and whether you ’re on insulin or other medications , the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston recommend .
Talk to your doctor about your grim blood sugar peril . If you have frequent bouts of hypoglycaemia , be sure to talk with your doc . The root may be as unsubdivided as deepen how much or the form of diabetes medicine you take . However , never make any change to your medication regimen without your doctor ’s favourable reception .
extra reportage by Andrea Peirce .
Beth W. Orenstein is a freelance author for HealthDay , Radiology Today , the Living Well segment ofTheAmerican Legion Magazine , St. Luke ’s University Health connection , and others . She is a magna cum laude alum of Tufts University ( 1978 ) , where she majored in English and was editor of the student newspaper for three years .
No matter the weather around her eastern Pennsylvania home base , Orenstein either bikes 25 to 30 mile or walk at least 6 miles every day . Her one lunacy is blueberry pancakes — but only after bike a farsighted distance .
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