Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Prevent low blood sugar
• Method 2 of 2: Know what low blood sugar is
• Tips
• Warnings

Hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar, occurs when the amount of glucose in the blood falls below normal levels. Glucose is an important energy source for the body. When your blood sugar is too low, your brain cells and muscles don't get enough energy to function properly. Hypoglycemia can occur as a result of diabetes, or in response to eating certain foods (or when you don't eat enough). This often results in a sudden drop in blood sugar. You can usually fix it by eating something small that contains sugar as soon as possible. If left untreated, hypoglycaemia can cause confusion, headaches, fainting and, in more severe cases, seizures, coma, or even death.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Prevent low blood sugar

1. Follow your doctor's instructions. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions about any medications, including insulin or other oral diabetes medications, as to how to take them. If your doctor or dietitian has put you on a strict diet, do your best to stick to this diet, as it is specially formulated to prevent complications from your illness and to keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day.
   • Sometimes the best preventative medicine is to follow the rules and guidelines of your doctor.
2. Check your blood sugar regularly. People with diabetes are advised to measure their blood sugar at least once a day, preferably immediately after getting up, before you have had anything to eat in the morning. Make sure to keep a record of the number in a schedule or diary, noting the date, time, and result of the test. Some diabetics, especially those with poorly controlled diabetes - a condition characterized by fluctuations in blood sugar, need to have their blood checked more frequently, up to four times a day (before breakfast, before lunch, dinner and bedtime). To check your blood sugar with a glucose meter (a blood sugar meter), you need the meter, a finger prick device, test strips and alcohol swabs to clean the finger before you prick. If you want to check your blood sugar, do the following:
   • Wash your hands with soap and water.
   • Take an alcohol swab and clean the pad of your index or middle finger.
   • Hold the lancing device against your finger at a 90 degree angle and release the lever to prick your finger.
   • Squeeze a drop of blood onto a test strip.
   • Insert the test strip into the glucose meter and wait for the result.
   • Record the result in your schedule. A reading of 70mg / dL or lower means that your blood sugar is too low, and this is usually the point where you will start to experience symptoms of hypoglycemia.
3. Eat three meals and three snacks a day. You should eat three full meals and three small snacks spread throughout the day so that you eat regularly and consistently. Make sure you plan meals and snacks so that the time between them is roughly the same; skipping a snack or eating later than usual can cause your blood sugar to drop.
   • Plan your meals so that there are never more than four or five hours between them.
   • Never skip a meal if you have diabetes. This is especially important if you are also taking diabetes medications.
   • Make sure you compensate for extra calorie consumption. For example, if you're going to run a marathon on a Saturday, you have to eat more that day than you normally would.
4. Make sure your meals are well balanced. Your meals should contain a source of protein such as chicken, fish or beef that is about the size of a deck of playing cards (90-120 grams). If you are a vegetarian, use a different source of protein, such as eggs, tofu, soybeans, or Greek yogurt. In addition to protein, your meal should contain a source of complex carbohydrates and plenty of vegetables or fruits.
   • Complex carbohydrates should make up about 40 to 60% of your daily diet, and good sources include brown rice, beans and whole grains, as well as vegetables such as kale, cabbage and broccoli. Keep refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white pasta, sweets and sugar to a minimum.
   • Good fruit choices include oranges, peaches, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon; they not only complete your meal but also contain valuable phytonutrients. Fresh fruit is a great source of natural sugars, which can raise your blood sugar and prevent hypoglycemia.
   • A good guideline is that your plate should be two-thirds full of vegetables or fruit.
5. Don't drink too much caffeine. Avoid drinks that contain a lot of caffeine, such as coffee, tea and cola. Caffeine can cause the same symptoms as hypoglycemia, making you feel even worse.
6. Always have a snack with you. If you are at risk for hypoglycemia, always bring a quick fix to work, in the car, or wherever you go. Good, easy and healthy examples of this are a piece of cheese, nuts, yogurt, fruit or a smoothie.
7. Only drink alcohol with a meal. Drinking alcoholic beverages, especially on an empty stomach, can cause hypoglycaemia in some people. In some cases, this reaction may not occur until a day or two later, making the connection difficult. If you drink alcohol, always do it with a meal or snack.
8. Exercise at the right time. Exercise is very good for diabetics, especially because it can lower blood sugar. But at the same time, physical activity can also lower those values ​​too far - up to 24 hours after exercise. If you exercise, make sure to do it half an hour to an hour after a meal. Always check your blood sugar before and after exercise.
   • Bring a snack with you if you are going to do an exhausting activity, such as running or cycling. A snack can prevent hypoglycemia.
   • If you burn a lot of calories, you may need to adjust your medication or eat more snacks. The adjustment depends on the result of the glucose test and how long and intensively you exercise. Consult your doctor if you have diabetes and want to continue exercising, but also want to control your illness.
9. Treat a hypoglycemia attack. Eat something small as soon as possible at the first sign of hypoglycaemia. Just pick up something you have on hand or whatever is the fastest. Symptoms should subside within 10 to 15 minutes of eating; check your blood sugar after 15 minutes to make sure it is back above 70 mg / dL. If the blood sugar is still too low, eat something more. You do not have to go to the hospital or the doctor if it is a one-time dip. If you can, stay seated because you may feel weak. A good quick fix can be:
   • 120 ml fruit juice (orange, apple, grapes, etc.)
   • 120 ml of soda
   • 250 ml of milk
   • 5 or 6 candies (wine gums, candies, etc.)
   • 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar
   • 3 or 4 glucose tablets or 1 serving (15 grams) of glucose gel. Keep in mind that the correct dosage of this can be lower for children; read the package insert before giving glucose medication to children to determine the correct dosage.

Method 2 of 2: Know what low blood sugar is

1. Know how hypoglycemia works. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when blood sugar falls below normal levels. Someone will start to feel the symptoms of hypoglycemia when the blood sugar falls below 70 mg / dL. Low blood sugar almost only occurs in diabetics in response to insulin therapy in combination with a low calorie intake, a too high dose of insulin or exhaustion in combination with a low calorie intake (such as when you run 10 kilometers). without compensating with enough food).
   • Other rare causes are a tumor in the pancreas that produces too much insulin (insulinoma) and reactive hypoglycaemia, which occurs when blood sugar levels drop after eating a meal or specific food.
   • Hypoglycemia can also be a side effect of certain medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin and pills (such as Glibenclamide), which are used to increase insulin production. Certain combinations of drugs (such as Glibenclamide and metformin) can also cause hypoglycaemia. That is why it is very important that you mention all medicines, vitamins and supplements (including herbal remedies) that you are taking when talking to your doctor.
2. Know the symptoms of low blood sugar. There are a number of physical and mental symptoms that can indicate that your blood sugar is too low, such as:
   • Trembling
   • Dizziness
   • Feeling weak
   • Mental confusion (e.g. not knowing today's date or year, etc.)
   • Altered level of consciousness, poor concentration, drowsiness
   • Sweating or having "cold sweats"
   • Coma.
3. Be prepared and take precautions. Check your blood sugar at least twice a day (when you get up and before you eat). Follow the recommendations above to exercise regularly and distribute your meals and snacks well throughout the day. As a precaution, make sure to bring snacks with you when you go out.
   • If you have diabetes, or are prone to a bout of hypoglycemia, describe the symptoms to your friends, relatives, and co-workers so they can help you if you suddenly have a severe drop in your blood sugar. In the case of young children, the school management should be aware of how to recognize and treat the symptoms of hypoglycaemia.
   • You may also want to consider carrying something with you that states you have diabetes, such as a necklace or card in your wallet so that people know you have diabetes during an emergency.
   • Be careful driving a car as it can be life-threatening if you have hypoglycaemia. If you have to drive long stretches, check your blood sugar regularly (especially before getting behind the wheel) and eat a snack if necessary to keep your blood sugar at a minimum of 70 mg / dL.
4. Consult your doctor. Let your doctor know if you have recurring episodes of hypoglycaemia (more than a few times a week) so that he / she can adjust the dose of your medication if necessary.
   • It's important to bring your blood sugar chart with you so that your doctor can see when your insulin spikes and your glucose drops, so he / she can advise the use of the correct type of insulin (from short to long-acting). Taking it at the right times, as dictated by your schedule, can help you avoid having bouts of hypoglycemia.

Tips

• Learning how to control your blood sugar and how to prevent hypoglycemia attacks takes time, motivation, and persistence if you want to stay healthy.

Warnings

• Hypoglycemia can come on very suddenly and is usually easily overcome by eating something sweet. However, if left untreated, it can get worse and lead to confusion, drowsiness, and fainting. A severe case of hypoglycaemia can end in fits, coma and even death.