How can hypoglycemia be avoided

Good choices include:. Exercising on a full stomach is not advisable, so keeping pre-exercise snacks small and remembering to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water are important. A person experiencing a minor case of low blood sugar can consume 15—20 grams g of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as a small glass of fruit juice or a few crackers. If a person is still experiencing symptoms of low blood sugar after 15 minutes, they can eat another 15—20 g portion of carbohydrates.

Following a hypoglycemia diet will help to manage symptoms and prevent blood sugar from dropping. Reducing simple sugars and increasing complex carbohydrates can help control blood sugar levels throughout the day and prevent any sudden spikes or dips. Eating or drinking a small amount of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as a piece of fruit or fruit juice, can treat minor cases of hypoglycemia. However, anyone experiencing more severe or regular symptoms should see their doctor, as soon as possible.

Hypoglycemia is a manageable condition, and getting an early diagnosis means the symptoms can be controlled. Left untreated, the symptoms of hypoglycemia can become more frequent and dangerous. The symptoms also mimic other conditions, so it is important for a doctor to diagnose the condition and rule out other possible causes.

Severe symptoms of hypoglycemia, including loss of consciousness, require immediate medical attention. A hypoglycemic episode, or hypo, occurs when blood glucose falls to a potentially dangerous level. Learn about the causes, warning signs, and…. Glucagon injections are used to treat severe hypoglycemia. A continuous glucose monitor CGM can sound an alarm when blood sugar levels are low or start to fall. This can be a big help for people with hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia unawareness occurs more frequently in those who:.

If you think you have hypoglycemia unawareness, speak with your health care provider. This helps your body re-learn how to react to low blood sugar levels. This may mean increasing your target blood sugar level a new target that needs to be worked out with your diabetes care team.

It may even result in a higher A1C level, but regaining the ability to feel symptoms of lows is worth the temporary rise in blood sugar levels. This can happen when your blood sugar levels are very high and start to go down quickly. If this is happening, discuss treatment with your diabetes care team.

Your best bet is to practice good diabetes management and learn to detect hypoglycemia so you can treat it early—before it gets worse. Monitoring blood sugar, with either a meter or a CGM, is the tried and true method for preventing hypoglycemia. Studies consistently show that the more a person checks blood sugar, the lower his or her risk of hypoglycemia.

This is because you can see when blood sugar levels are dropping and can treat it before it gets too low. If you can, check often! Together, you can review all your data to figure out the cause of the lows. The more information you can give your health care provider, the better they can work with you to understand what's causing the lows. Your provider may be able to help prevent low blood sugar by adjusting the timing of insulin dosing, exercise and meals or snacks.

Changing insulin doses or the types of food you eat may also do the trick. If you're new to type 2 diabetes, join our free Living With Type 2 Diabetes program to get help and support during your first year. Log in menu Manage Account Search. Donate now. Hypoglycemia Low Blood Glucose. Blood Sugar Testing and Control. Hypoglycemia Low Blood sugar. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar happen quickly Each person's reaction to low blood sugar is different.

Treatment—The " Rule" The rule—have 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise your blood sugar and check it after 15 minutes. Note: Young children usually need less than 15 grams of carbs to fix a low blood sugar level: Infants may need 6 grams, toddlers may need 8 grams, and small children may need 10 grams.

If a person has a problem with their kidneys, medication can build up in their bloodstream. This type of buildup can change blood sugar levels and lead to hypoglycemia. Tumors in the pancreas can cause the organ to produce too much insulin.

If insulin levels are too high, blood sugar levels will drop. A person with hypoglycemia may develop a headache or pass out lose consciousness. If a person has hypoglycemia often, they may stop experiencing symptoms. This is called hypoglycemia unawareness. To diagnose hypoglycemia, a doctor first asks a person about their symptoms. If the doctor suspects hypoglycemia, they may perform a blood test. However, everyone has a different base blood sugar level, and the measurement that determines hypoglycemia can vary.

According to research from , the best way to treat mild hypoglycemia is to:. A non-diabetic hypoglycemia diet can help keep blood sugar levels balanced. The following tips can help to prevent hypoglycemia:. Carrying a snack to eat at the first sign of hypoglycemia can prevent blood sugar levels from dipping too low. Low blood sugar or glucose levels can lead to hypoglycemia. It is not a disease, but it can signal an underlying health issue. Find out why it happens,.

If you love zesty flavors, make a large batch of cilantro-flavored Mexican brown rice and store it in individual serving cups for a delicious and healthy snack on the go.

Physical activity lowers blood sugar, so having a snack before exercising is a must. Before working out, grab a high-protein snack with carbohydrates.

Good choices include:. Keep your evening meal as small as your other meals. Dinner is a good time to eat some protein and complex carbs. Sprinkle on some parmesan cheese or have a glass of low-fat or skim milk on the side. Eating a light snack close to bedtime will help keep your blood sugar stable throughout the nighttime hours. Read this article in Spanish. Waking up with low blood sugar? You may need to adjust your insulin dosage or start eating a snack before bed.

Eating certain foods can help you lose weight and reverse insulin resistance. Discover helpful and healthy diet tips for managing insulin resistance. Choosing healthy snacks can be difficult when you have diabetes. Here are the 21 best snack ideas for those with diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, you know how important your dietary choices are.

Learn how to get the nutrients you need while managing your blood sugar…. The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are complex and range from genetic to environmental to lifestyle choices.