Sometimes the best preventive medicine is to follow the rules and guidelines set by your primary healthcare practitioner.
Wash your hands with soap and water. Take the alcohol pad and cleanse the pad of the index or middle finger. Hold the lancet against your finger at 90 degrees and release the lever to prick your finger. Squeeze a drop of blood onto the test strip. Insert the test strip into the glucometer slot and await the reading. Log the measurement in your data log. A level of 70 mg/dL or lower is indicative of low blood sugar and this is usually when you will begin to experience the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Plan your meals so that they are never more than four or five hours apart. Never skip meals if you have diabetes. This is especially important if you are taking medications for diabetes. Make sure you account for any extra calorie expenditure. For example, if you’re running a marathon on a Saturday, you will need to make sure to eat more that day than you would on a normal day. [5] X Expert Source Lyssandra GuerraCertified Nutrition & Wellness Consultant Expert Interview. 25 March 2020.
Complex carbohydrates should comprise 40 to 60% of your daily diet and good sources include brown rice, beans, and whole-grain breads as well as vegetables such as kale, cabbage, and broccoli. Limit refined carbohydrates like white bread, pastries, syrups, and candy. [8] X Research source Good choices for fruit include oranges, peaches, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon, among others; these will not only round out your meal but also provide valuable phytonutrients. Fresh fruit is a great source of natural sugar, which can spike your blood sugar and prevent hypoglycemia. A good rule of thumb is that your plate should be two-thirds full of vegetables and fruits.
Carry a snack with you if doing strenuous exercise, like running or cycling. A snack can help prevent the onset of hypoglycemia. If you’re burning lots of calories, you may need to adjust your medication or eat additional snacks. The adjustment is dependent on the results of your blood sugar test results and how long and how intense the exercise you are doing is. You should consult your physician if you’re diabetic and want to maintain your exercise regimen while also managing your condition.
1/2 cup (4 oz) of fruit juice (orange, apple, grape, etc. ) 1/2 cup (4 oz) of regular soda (not diet) 1 cup (8 oz) of milk 5 or 6 pieces of hard candy (Jolly Ranchers, Lifesavers, etc. ) 1 tbsp of honey or sugar 3 or 4 glucose tablets or 1 serving (15 g) of glucose gel. Keep in mind that the appropriate doses of these items may be less for small children; read the instructions before giving glucose medication to children in order to determine the appropriate dosage.
Other rare causes include a tumor in the pancreas that produces excess insulin (insulinoma) and reactive hypoglycemia, which occurs when blood sugar drops after eating a meal or specific food. [15] X Research source Kevin Stuart, Annmarie, Field, Jessie Raju, :Postprandial Reactive Hypoglycemia, varying presentation patterns in extended glucose tolerance tests and possible therapeutic approaches, Hindawi, Case Reports in Medicine, 2013 article ID 273957 Hypoglycemia can be a side effect of some medications used to treat diabetes, including insulin and pills (such as glipizide and glyburide) that are taken to increase insulin production. Certain combinations of medications (like glipizide and metformin or glyburide and metformin) can also cause hypoglycemia. [16] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source This is why it is vital that you disclose all medications, vitamins, and supplements (including herbal remedies) you’re taking to your doctor.
Shakiness Dizziness Weakness Mental confusion (e. g. , uncertain of the date, year, etc. ) Altered level of consciousness, poor concentration, or drowsiness Diaphoresis or a “cold sweat” Coma (Note: Severe disorientation and coma do not occur until your blood glucose level reaches around 45mg/dL)
In addition, If you have diabetes, or are prone to bouts of hypoglycemia, describe your symptoms to your friends, family, and a trusted co-worker so that they can help you if you experience a rapid or severe drop in blood sugar. In the case of young children, school staff should be instructed on how to recognize and treat a child’s hypoglycemia symptoms. [19] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Consider carrying a form of diabetes identification, like a medical identification necklace or bracelet or a card in your wallet, so that people can know that you have diabetes in an emergency situation. Be careful when driving because hypoglycemia symptoms can make driving extremely dangerous. When driving long distances, check your blood sugar levels frequently (especially before getting behind the wheel) and snack as needed to maintain a blood glucose level of at least 70 mg/dL. [20] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
It is important to bring your blood glucose log, so your doctor can figure out when your insulin is peaking and glucose level is falling, so that he can time the use of the correct type of insulin (regular, intermediate, or long-acting). Dosing at the correct times of the day, as determined by your log, can help ensure that you do not have any subsequent episodes of hypoglycemia.
