5 ways to keep hypoglycemia at bay
This blog is like an action plan for when you feel your glucose or sugar levels are dropping too low. We suggest you bookmark it to keep handy. Feeling woozy is always a warning sign, and especially when you use insulin to maintain glucose or sugar levels in range.
Without quick attention, this condition, also known as, hypoglycemia can lead to serious complications, so here's what you need to know if it happens to you or someone close to you:
1. Monitor your glucose levels
It is a good idea to check and record your glucose or sugar levels several times a week or multiple times a day, depending on your prescription. Staying within the target range is easier when careful monitoring is involved. Time in Range (Time in Target) is the percentage of the time that the person spends with their glucose levels in the target glucose range.
Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring devices have proven to reduce the time spent in hypoglycemia (low glucose events)28
2. On-time meal-time always
If you take insulin or oral diabetes medication, be consistent about the amount you eat and the timing of your meals and snacks.
3. More physical activity than usual calls for more wariness
When adding more physical exercise to your routine than usual, adjust food and medication intake depending on what the glucose monitoring device reads.
4. Carry medical identification
Better safe than sorry. In case of an emergency, it is important to carry some form of diabetes identification so that others know that you have diabetes. Use a medical identification necklace or bracelet and wallet card.
5. Carry something sweet
For people with diabetes, it is important to be prepared. A few sweets or candies in the emergency zip bag is great to remain prepared to increase a dropping glucose or sugar level to bring it back in the normal range.
