How to Treat Low Blood Sugar
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Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) must be treated immediately. Without treatment, a low blood sugar can be dangerous. All people with diabetes will experience low blood sugars, and symptoms can be different for different people.
Treatment should be given whenever the blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/l) or symptoms are present.
Hypoglycemia Symptoms and Treatment
| Mild | |||||
| Grouchiness, shakiness,sweating, fast heart rate, pale skin, dizziness, yawning | Fast acting sugar: Rule of 15 in general - 15 grams of fast acting carbohydrate, wait 15 minutes and recheck BG. If not better in 15 minutes, repeat treatment. If the next meal or snack is more than 30 minutes away, give an extra snack of carbohydrate and protein. For smaller kids, the amount may need to be adjusted, see here for more information. | ||||
| Moderate | |||||
| Confusion, poor coordination, inability to cooperate, slurred speech | Instant Glucose or Cake Gel: Insert tube between gum and cheek. Administer appropriate amount. If no response in 15 minutes, administer glucagon. If the next meal or snack is more than 30 minutes away, give an extra snack of carbohydrate and protein. | ||||
| Severe | |||||
| Unconsciousness, convulsions, seizure | Glucagon: Administer glucagon as directed (see also Mini-Dose Glucagon Rescue for Hypoglycemia.) Call paramedics. Phone diabetes doctor on call. Feed as soon as possible after awakening. Review expiration date and instructions in the Spring and Fall. | ||||
How to help prevent low blood sugars:
- Give extra snacks for extra activity Eating right after taking insulin if the blood sugar is less than 100 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/l)
- Eating an extra snack of carbohydrate and protein if the blood sugar is less than 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/l) at bedtime
- Replacing carbohydrates in the meal plan with things like regular pop, regular popsicles on sick days
Glucagon Rescue Treatments
BAQSIMI nasal powder
GVOKE HypoPen Prefilled Syringe
Glucagon Emergency Kit
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