Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a known complication of diabetes, and it is defined as a blood sugar value below the "normal" range, i.e. less than 80 mg/dl.
As you know, hypoglycemia presents with nausea, dizziness, sweating, cool pale skin, and anxiety. If left untreated, low blood sugar can result in coma and injury to key organs including the brain.
Here are some tips to prevent hypoglycemia:
1) Make sure that meal times are
regular, especially if they are
timed around your insulin peaks.
2) Do not skip meals when on glucose
lowering medication - it is
important to eat a regular times to
keep your sugar on an even keel.
3) Plan ahead for exercise and have a
snack before vigorous exercise.
4) Plan for when you are not going to
be able to eat a regular meal, and
keep a meal substitute handy, so
that you can stay on your eating
routine.
5) Avoid quantities of simple sugars.
These cause sudden increases in your
sugars, followed by sudden decreases
(hypoglycemia).
6) Talk to your doctor about any diet,
activity or medication changes, so
that he can guide you and monitor
your status, to avoid fluctuating
sugar levels.
7) Keep a diabetic diary - track blood
sugars, exercise, symptoms and food
intake, so that you can anticipate
when your sugar may become low, and
be prepared to treat it.
8) Be prepared and treat at the first
sign of low blood sugar, to avoid a
more serious drop in your glucose.
When all is said and done, knowing your own body and following your diabetes care plan are the best ways to prevent complications such as hypoglycemia.
