Hypoglycemia occurs when the concentration of glucose in the blood falls below the normal level. Glucose is an important source of energy for the body; when your blood sugar is too low, your brain cells and muscles don't have enough "fuel" to function properly. Hypoglycemia can occur as a consequence of diabetes or as a reaction to a specific food ingested (or when you don't eat enough); it is also often due to a sudden drop in blood sugar. It can usually be treated quickly by eating a small amount of food containing glucose as soon as possible. If neglected, this disorder can lead to confusion, headache, fainting and, in severe cases, coma and even death.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preventing Hypoglycemia
Step 1. Follow your doctor's directions
Be sure to strictly follow his instructions regarding medications, including insulin and other oral diabetes medications, as well as how to use and dosage. In addition, if your doctor has indicated a strict diet or you have consulted a qualified dietician or nutritionist, work to follow the meal plan that has been developed precisely to avoid complications with your disease and to keep sugar levels stable throughout the day..
Sometimes, the best preventative medicine is to follow the directions and guidelines set by your doctor
Step 2. Check your blood sugar level regularly
People with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar at least once a day, preferably upon waking and before eating anything. Be sure to note the level and record it in a diary or log, indicating the date, time of collection and test result. Some patients, especially those with "unstable" diabetes, a disorder characterized by glycemic fluctuations, should check this value more often, even up to four times a day (before breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed). To monitor your sugar level using a blood glucose meter (blood glucose meter) you need to get the meter, lancets to prick your finger, test strips, and alcohol wipes to clean your finger before pricking it. To perform a glucose measurement:
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Take the alcohol wipe and wipe the tip of your index or middle finger.
- Place the lancet on your finger at a 90 ° angle and release the lever to prick your finger;
- Drop a drop of blood on the test strip;
- Insert the strip into the slot of the meter and wait for the result;
- Record the value in a journal. A result of 70 mg / dL or lower indicates low blood sugar and is usually accompanied by symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Step 3. Have three meals and three snacks throughout the day
You should eat three full meals and three small snacks each day to maintain a regular and consistent diet. Make sure you calculate the times of these meals, so that they are evenly spaced; if you forget to snack or eat later than usual, your blood sugar may go down.
- Plan your meals so that there are never more than four or five hours between them.
- If you have diabetes, you should never skip a meal; this is especially important if you are taking any medications for the disease.
- Make sure you take into account any higher calorie consumption; if you have to run a marathon on Saturday, you have to eat more than on normal days.
Step 4. Eat well-balanced meals
They must contain a source of protein, such as poultry, fish or beef, that is approximately the size of a deck of cards (90-120g). If you are a vegetarian, be sure to eat different sources of protein, such as eggs, tofu, soy beans, or Greek yogurt. In addition to protein, the meal must also contain a source of complex carbohydrates and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Complex carbohydrates should make up 40-60% of your daily diet, and some excellent sources are brown rice, beans, wholemeal bread, vegetables such as kale, cabbage and broccoli. Cut back on refined carbs like white bread, sweets, syrups, and candy.
- Some fruits that you can consume are oranges, peaches, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon and others; these not only complement the meal, but also provide valuable phytonutrients. Fresh fruit is great for its natural sugar content, which can raise your blood sugar level.
- A good rule of thumb is to fill 2/3 of the plate with fruit and vegetables.
Step 5. Limit your caffeine intake
Avoid drinks and foods that contain a significant amount of this substance, including coffee, tea, and some types of sodas. Caffeine can cause the same symptoms as hypoglycemia and aggravate the situation.
Step 6. Always carry snacks with you
If you tend to suffer from hypoglycemia, have some quick snacks handy at work, in the car, and wherever you spend time. Healthy and practical solutions to eat on the fly are cheese sticks, dried fruit, fresh fruit or smoothies.
Step 7. Accompany alcohol with food
Consuming alcoholic beverages, especially on an empty stomach, can induce hypoglycemia in some people. In these cases, the reaction can be delayed for a day or two and therefore it is not always possible to establish the association with alcohol. If you drink alcohol, be sure to always accompany them with a meal or snack.
Step 8. Exercise at the right times
Exercise is great for diabetics, especially as it helps lower blood sugar levels. However, this effect can be too intense and excessively lower blood sugar even 24 hours after the training session. If you engage in physical activity, be sure to exercise half an hour or an hour after a meal; always check your blood sugar level before and after training.
- Bring a snack with you if you engage in strenuous physical activity, such as running or cycling, as it helps to avoid a hypoglycemic attack.
- If you burn a lot of calories, you need to change your medications or have another snack. The adjustment of the sugar intake depends on the results of the blood glucose test, as well as on the duration and intensity of the physical activity session. You should see your doctor if you are diabetic and want to maintain an exercise regimen while managing the disease.
Step 9. Deal with a low sugar episode
At the first symptoms of low blood sugar, eat a quick snack right away. Choose whatever food you have on hand or that is readily available. Symptoms may subside within 10-15 minutes after ingesting something; repeat the test after 15 minutes to make sure your blood sugar has returned to 70 mg / dL or higher. If it's still too low, eat another snack. There is no need to go to the hospital or see your doctor if you experience an occasional episode of hypoglycemia; if you can, stay seated to avoid fainting. Among the quick and practical snack options are:
- 120 ml of fruit juice (orange, apple, grape, etc.);
- 120 ml of normal drink (not dietetic);
- 240 ml of milk;
- 5 or 6 hard candies of any kind;
- 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar;
- 3 or 4 glucose tablets or 15 g glucose gel. Keep in mind that the correct dosage of these substances may be lower for small children; read the instructions on the package before giving them to children, so that the correct amount is given.
Part 2 of 2: Learn about Hypoglycemia
Step 1. Know how hypoglycemia works
It is too low a concentration of sugar in the blood; a person usually begins to show symptoms when the sugar drops below 70 mg / dl. It is a disease that almost exclusively affects diabetics, as a reaction to insulin therapy with insufficient sugar intake, an insulin overdose or excessive physical exertion without adequate calorie intake (for example if you run 10 km without bringing any snacks with you).
- Other rare causes are pancreatic cancer that induces excessive insulin production (insulinoma) and reactive hypoglycemia, which occurs when blood sugar levels drop after eating a specific meal or food.
- Hypoglycemia can also be a side effect of some medications taken to treat diabetes, including insulin and pills that are taken to increase insulin production (such as glipizide and glyburide); some drug combinations (such as glipizide with metformin or glyburide with metformin) can cause the disorder. This is why it is vital that you tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements (including herbal remedies) you are taking.
Step 2. Know the symptoms of low blood sugar
There are several physical and mental reactions that you can recognize as signs of hypoglycemia, including:
- Tremors
- Dizziness;
- Weakness;
- Mental confusion (e.g. you don't know the exact day and year)
- Altered level of consciousness, difficulty concentrating or sleepiness;
- Diaphoresis or "cold sweat";
- Coma (keep in mind that severe disorientation and coma don't occur until sugar levels drop to 45 mg / dL).
Step 3. Try to prevent the ailment and take precautions
Measure your blood sugar at least once a day (when you get up and before eating anything). Follow the recommendations described so far regarding regular physical activity and eating meals and snacks throughout the day. Be careful to always carry snacks with you when you are away from home, just in case.
- Also, if you are diabetic or prone to hypo, describe your symptoms to trusted friends, family, and colleagues so they can help you if you experience a sudden or severe episode. If the patient is a young child, school staff should be trained to recognize and treat the symptoms of this disorder.
- Consider keeping some sort of diabetes ID tag, such as a necklace, bracelet, or card in your wallet showing the condition, so that people know you have diabetes in case an emergency arises.
- Be cautious when driving, as the symptoms of hypoglycemia can be very dangerous at this juncture. If you have to travel long distances, check your blood sugar often (especially before getting behind the wheel) and eat snacks as needed to keep your glucose level at at least 70 mg / dl.
Step 4. Contact your doctor
Tell them if you have persistent episodes of hypoglycemia (more than a few times a week) so that they can adjust the dosage of the medications as needed.
