Treating Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose) When You
Treating Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose) When YouHave DiabetesWhen you have diabetes, knowing how to treat hypoglycemia can help you avoid the serious health problemslow blood glucose can bring.If you experience any symptoms of hypoglycemia, like: headache, weakness, a cold sweat or clammy feeling,shakiness, hunger, irritability, and dizziness; check your blood glucose. If it’s below 70mg/dl or, if you feel tooshaky, confused or weak to check it, you may have low blood glucose.Some people may experience hypoglycemia at a higher blood glucose level. Be sure to talk to your diabetescare team to find out what level is too low for you.If you are having low blood glucose – follow this procedure.Eat or drink something containing 15 grams of carbohydrate. That could be four to six ounces of fruit juice orregular soda, three to four glucose tablets, or five to seven Life Savers.Because some medications work to slow the digestion of foods, talk to your diabetes care team about the bestcarbohydrate choices for you.Rest for 15 minutes.Recheck your glucose level. If it hasn’t risen above 70 milligrams per deciliter, or if you still feel somesymptoms, have 15 more grams of carbohydrate.Once your blood glucose is in a safe range, you need to make sure it doesn't drop again in the next few hours.If your next meal is scheduled more than an hour or two away, have a snack of carbohydrate and protein.Keep track of your glucose readings. Some glucose meters automatically track your readings or write downyour readings in your logbook.Take your meter or your logbook with you to your next appointment.And tell your diabetes care team about any low readings so they can determine if changes are needed in yourmanagement plan.If you have frequent or severe episodes, notify your diabetes care team as soon as possible; wear medicalidentification; carry a carbohydrate food with you at all times; and if you are traveling in a car for longer thantwo hours, check your blood glucose before getting behind the wheel of a car.Finally, be aware that drinking alcohol and taking medications for diabetes may put you at risk for low bloodglucose.You should discuss alcohol use with your diabetes care team to learn how to use it safely and remember to eatif you do choose to drink.Take your glucose logbook with you to your next care team visit. Point out any low glucose readings you hadand talk to your diabetes care team about ways to avoid hypoglycemia.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10075B EN TreatingHypoglycemiaLowBloodGlucoseWhenYouHaveDiabetes.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Treating Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose) When YouHave DiabetesAlthough Diabetes is complex, it’s manageable when you have the right information and support. DiabetesCare and Education Specialists are trained to be your diabetes expert and can help you learn how tosuccessfully thrive with diabetes. You deserve nothing less!Ask your provider for a referral today! Find one at www.DiabetesEducator.org/find.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10075B EN TreatingHypoglycemiaLowBloodGlucoseWhenYouHaveDiabetes.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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