The Quickest Way to Feel Better After a Low Blood Sugar

I hope you never have a low blood sugar, but if you do I want you to know the absolute best action steps to take. This information is not commonly known, so please read on.

Not once in my 25 years of helping people with diabetes have I met a person who feels okay when their blood sugar drops too low. People hate that awful and scary feeling of losing control. Today I will share the fastest way to handle a low blood sugar. Better yet, I will show you how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

First the FACTS:

The Best Way to Treat a Low Blood Sugar and Other Hypoglycemia Tips

A low blood sugar (also called hypoglycemia) is a glucose reading of less than or equal to 70mg/dl.

Common symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling:

• shaky
• sweaty
• dizzy
• nervous
• lightheaded
• hungry
• tired
• confused
• weak

If you feel “funny” or have any of these symptoms, check your blood sugar immediately to see if it is low.

If it is less than or equal to 70mg/dl, treat it quickly ASAP to raise your glucose above 70.

Treat low glucose with 15 grams of carbohydrate containing glucose such as:

• 3-4 glucose tablets, gel or liquid glucose
• 8 oz cup of milk
• 4-6 oz fruit juice
• 4-6 oz (1/2 can) regular soda, not diet
• 8-10 Lifesavers
• 1 T sugar, honey, or jelly

Wait 15 minutes, and recheck blood sugar. If it is still below 70, repeat treatment. Repeat steps until glucose is above 70. (Remember, do one of the above, not all of the above).

Other Guidelines for Treating Low Blood Sugar:

Do not keep eating after the initial treatment. This is hard to do because you may still have symptoms, but continuing to eat causes high blood sugar. Check your glucose after 15 minutes to see if further treatment is needed. Remember, do not keep eating until you no longer have symptoms!

Avoid high fat foods such as candy bars and peanut butter. Foods with fat take longer to digest and absorb therefore slowing down glucose returning to normal. Some people mistakenly think when their blood sugar drops it’s an acceptable time to eat a candy bar.

It is much better to enjoy a candy bar when your blood sugar is normal. (Remember to savor every little bite).

If your next meal is more than an hour away, have a snack after your glucose is above 70.
Always carry some type of carbohydrate if you take insulin or are at risk for your glucose dropping too low. Have carbohydrate in your vehicle and by your bed so that you can treat your low blood sugar quickly. (See the list above for the type of carbohydrate sources that are best)

Now let’s talk about what causes low blood sugar. People who take insulin or a medication that stimulates the pancreas to make more insulin are more at risk for hypoglycemia. Blood sugar can drop too low even when you are doing all you can to manage your diabetes. However, there are also many ways that people trigger hypoglycemia.

Whenever possible try to avoid these common causes.

Common Causes of Hypoglycemia include:

• Missed or delayed meals, or meals without enough carbohydrate
• Taking too much insulin or not taking it at the right time
• More physical activity than usual (have a snack to avoid a low blood sugar)
• Drinking alcohol without eating

If your blood sugar drops too low, think about the likely cause so you can prevent it from happening again. If you have frequent low blood sugar talk to your health care provider. You might need a medication adjustment or more education concerning your specific condition.

Misconceptions, and what NOT to do:

Having symptoms of a low blood sugar doesn’t necessarily mean you have low blood sugar. If your blood sugar usually runs 200 or higher, you might feel symptoms of a low glucose when your glucose level approaches 100.

That doesn’t mean that for you (and you alone) a reading of 100 makes you hypoglycemic. (A blood sugar less than or equal to 70mg/dl is considered hypoglycemia for all humans). What it really means is your body notices your glucose is dropping fast, or is lower than usual. You don’t need to treat hypoglycemia (since you do not have low blood sugar), or eat to get your glucose back up to the 200s. The symptoms will go away on their own.

You need to have some education, and possible a treatment change, to gradually bring your glucose closer to normal. Do not keep your glucose running high to avoid a low glucose. That’s what my sweet first husband did which left him blind, on dialysis, and me a widow.

High blood sugar damage blood vessels and nerves so he paid a high price. Unfortunately, I regularly meet many others who unknowingly put themselves at risk doing the same thing. Once again, receiving proper education guides people in the right direction.

Do not avoid going on insulin due to fear of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is real and it is true that sometimes it happens despite really doing your best. However, if you need insulin and avoid it completely, the effects will be devastating.

Education is key to safely managing your insulin and your diabetes. Remember, there are no health complications of controlled diabetes! Do you see a theme here? Education, maybe? I can help you keep your glucose at safe levels. Call me (let’s talk).