Treat your low blood glucose properly. Learn valuable information about this potentially dangerous condition, and how to treat it with the Rule of 15 as well as other management strategies.
Are you at risk?
Individuals on insulin, sulfonylureas such as glyburide, glipizide, glimepiride, or meglitinides such as Starlix and Prandin, are at risk for going too low. Too low is considered having a blood glucose <70mg/dl.
Treat your low blood glucose properly. Learn valuable information about this potentially dangerous condition, and how to treat it with the Rule of 15 as well as other management strategies.
Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
You may experience sweating, shakiness, sleepiness, confusion, dizziness, or weakness to name a few. What symptoms do you have? Can you tell when you go too low? Remember how you feel so you can tell in the future when your glucose is dropping.
Treat your low blood glucose properly. Learn valuable information about this potentially dangerous condition, and how to treat it with the Rule of 15 as well as other management strategies.
Hypoglycemia Unawareness
Can you tell if your blood glucose is too low? Individuals that have frequent lows, or those that have had diabetes for a long time are at a greater risk for hypoglycemia unawareness. This is very dangerous as the person no longer experiences symptoms and cannot tell if they are low.
Treat your low blood glucose properly. Learn valuable information about this potentially dangerous condition, and how to treat it with the Rule of 15 as well as other management strategies.
Rule of 15
If you are having symptoms, check your glucose. If you are less than 70mg/dl eat 15 grams of carbohydrates such as ½ cup juice, 4 glucose tabs or ½ can regular soda, not diet. Wait 15 minutes and recheck your glucose, the goal is to bring your glucose above 100mg/dl. After your glucose is back up to target range, if it is time to have a meal, eat your meal, if it is not time for a meal, try to have a high protein bar or glass of milk to carry you to your next meal. The Rule of 15 applies unless your glucose is <50mg/dl in which case you want to eat 30 grams of carbs.
Treat your low blood glucose properly. Learn valuable information about this potentially dangerous condition, and how to treat it with the Rule of 15 as well as other management strategies.
Over treating
Be careful not to over treat your lows. When you are low you will want to eat everything, but by consuming >15grams of carbs you may cause your glucose to go too high, and then you will be on a rollercoaster for the rest of the day. Remember the rule of 15 to treat your lows.
Treat your low blood glucose properly. Learn valuable information about this potentially dangerous condition, and how to treat it with the Rule of 15 as well as other management strategies.
Discuss with your healthcare provider
If you are having frequent episodes, always notify your healthcare provider as a change in dosages may be necessary.
Treat your low blood glucose properly. Learn valuable information about this potentially dangerous condition, and how to treat it with the Rule of 15 as well as other management strategies.
Supplies
Plan for lows, always carry glucose tabs and your glucose meter with you at all times.
