Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a common yet scary side effect of diabetes—but a little preparation can go a long way toward treating an attack.
What causes hypoglycemia?
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Taking certain diabetes medications, skipping meals, not consuming enough carbs, and even too much exercise can throw your blood sugar off balance and cause low blood sugar. Insomnia and excessive alcohol consumption have also been linked to low glucose levels. When blood sugar dips to a level that’s too low to sustain normal functioning—in most people, that’s below 70 mg/dl—it results in a hypo attack with varying symptoms depending on its severity. People who have recurring bouts of low blood sugar may have no warning signs at all, explains Michael Bergman, MD, endocrinologist and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. This is known as hypoglycemic unawareness; the longer you’ve had diabetes, the more common it is. On the milder end of the low blood sugar spectrum, you may feel hungry, nauseated, jittery, nervous, and have cold and clammy-feeling skin. Many people also describe the feeling that their heart is racing or pounding. Low blood sugar can happen at night, too, causing nightmares and night sweats. Moderate low blood sugar can cause behavioral changes, making you fearful, confused, or angry. It can also trigger blurry vision, slurred speech, and problems with balance and walking. A layperson may even mistake you for being drunk. If left untreated, severe low blood sugar can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, irreversible brain or heart damage, coma, or even death. Here are first aid tips to handle a diabetic emergency.
Follow the 15-15 rule
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It goes like this: If your blood sugar reading is low (below 70 mg/dl), eat or drink something equal to 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (4 ounces of juice). Even if you feel okay, don’t wait for the symptoms of hypoglycemia to kick in. Rest for 15 minutes and re-check your blood glucose. Still low? Repeat the process until your blood sugar reaches a healthy range. Make sure your blood sugar has returned to normal before then eating a meal, warns Elizabeth Halprin, MD, clinical director of the Adult Diabetes Section at Joslin Diabetes Center and instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. If your next meal is more than an hour away, snack on one carbohydrate choice to keep your blood sugar from dipping again.
Stock up on the right snacks
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A mild case of hypoglycemia can be treated quickly by eating or drinking a small portion of glucose-rich food, or food equal to one carbohydrate choice (15 grams of carb). “As hard as it might be, try not to over-treat the low sugar,” says Dr. Halprin. “Keep in mind that the symptoms last much longer than the actual low.” Don’t leave home without the following fast-acting carbs, equivalent to 15 to 20 grams: three or four glucose tablets; four or five saltine crackers; five or six pieces of hard candy; two tablespoons of raisins; one serving of glucose gel; a half cup of fruit juice or regular soda; a cup of milk; or one tablespoon of honey. Check out these diabetic-friendly snack ideas.
Treat your low blood sugar before you drive
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If you have hypoglycemic unawareness—and won’t notice the symptoms before it’s too late—the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises letting someone else do the driving. Just as you shouldn’t drive when you’re sleep-deprived, if you have diabetes, you should never hit the road hungry. Test your blood sugar before you start the engine. If it’s not in the target range, treat it, then wait 15 minutes and recheck to make sure you’re good to go. For extra protection, eat a protein-rich snack (like a small apple and quarter cup of trail mix) before your trip. If you experience any low blood sugar symptoms while driving, pull over immediately.
Get a glucagon kit
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When blood sugar levels dip dangerously low, you may not be awake enough to eat or drink something to get them back up. If this occurs, you’ll need a glucagon shot, explains Dr. Bergman. Glucagon is a hormone that helps raise blood sugar levels quickly. Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon kit—and you should keep it in a place where your loved ones can easily access it.
Rock a medical ID
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It’s important to have a medical alert device in case of a severe hypoglycemic episode—and it doesn’t have to be in the form of a boring, clunky bracelet or necklace. The medical alert market now boasts everything from super-stylish jewelry designs (for women and men) to tattoos people design themselves. Just be sure that whichever style you choose is etched with your key health information. Some IDs even include compact USB drives that can carry a person’s full medical record for use in an emergency, according to the America Diabetes Association.
Become a self-test pro
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The only way to know for sure if your blood sugar is getting too low is to test your glucose levels. To get the most accurate results, be sure to keep your meter at room temperature, check the expiration date of all your testing supplies, and wash your hands with warm, soapy water (and dry them well) before pricking your finger. Humidity, outdated test strips, and wet fingers can make your test results unreliable. Track your results, such as with the online tool at diabetes.org, and take them to your next doctor’s appointment. Together you can figure out any blood sugar patterns.
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