How Do I Deal With Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia?

How Do I Deal With Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia?

It is normal for blood sugar levels to fluctuate/range throughout the day; these levels go up or down based on meals, activity, and medication usage. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar readings below 70 mg/dL, is an effect of too much insulin in your body. Insulin helps to lower blood sugar levels, however, if you inject more than your body needs it works a little too well, and a hypoglycemic event can occur.

What Does a Hypoglycemic Episode Feel Like?

Hypoglycemic events can include symptoms such as shakiness, dizziness or lightheadedness, increased heart rate, irritability, sometimes even changes in personality or confusion, and more. Each person experiences low blood sugar levels differently; some people may feel symptoms while others may not feel any at all. Due to this variation in symptoms, it is important if you use insulin (or certain pills which can cause hypoglycemia, such as glimepiride, glipizide or glyburide) to monitor sugar levels throughout the day to keep an eye out for hypoglycemic readings.

What Do I Do If I have Hypoglycemia Symptoms?

A good way of treating low blood sugar is using the “Rule of 15”, which is to drink or eat 15 grams of carbs and check blood sugar again in 15 minutes. Repeat this process until blood sugar levels are above 70 mg/dL.

Another way to treat low blood sugar is to use a glucagon emergency device. This is a medical device that can inject or spray into your nose a hormone called glucagon to help raise blood glucose sugar levels, counteracting the effects of insulin. Glucagon is also used to help treat severe hypoglycemic events when the level of consciousness is decreased.

If you are using insulin, which is a hormone to lower blood sugar levels, you need to have a backup plan in case of any hypoglycemic event. Glucagon emergency devices can be stored in most places – at work, in the bedroom, in a purse, or even in a vehicle (depending on the temperature). It is something you should have easily accessible in case a severe hypoglycemic event occurs where the “Rule of 15” cannot be easily completed.

There are three glucagon products on the market: 

1. Baqsimi

Baqsimi is a powder that can be placed on the entryway of the nose and spritzed glucagon right into the nose. This device is needle free. The glucagon molecules will travel up through the nose and are absorbed into the bloodstream, causing blood sugar levels to rise back up.

2. Gvoke

Gvoke is an auto-injector that automatically injects glucagon when placed on your skin, using a needle via bare skin contact. 

3. Zegalogue

Zegalogue is another pre-filled auto-injector that injects glucagon by the same simple technique, using a needle via bare skin contact.

Which one should I pick?

In short, the correct device to choose from for your diabetes care is based on your preference, lifestyle and situation. An important aspect to consider is who will administer that glucagon. If there is a caregiver involved, it may be useful to consider their opinions as well, in case they may need to administer glucagon to a person experiencing hypoglycemia.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at Grunberger Diabetes Institute about choosing the right glucagon emergency device for you!

Conclusion

Keeping track of all options that would be best for every aspect of your diabetes management can be overwhelming. However, we hope that you now know you can meet with us at Grunberger Diabetes Institute (GDI) and allow us to guide you through the process to help simplify your glycemic control and reduce any stress you may be feeling around diabetes management. 

About Grunberger Diabetes Institute

GDI offers Diabetes and Endocrine management, Medical Nutrition Therapy, as well as our weight management program. Care at GDI is individualized. We treat the patient, not just the ailment. What this means is that each person’s well-being is assessed and their treatment plan includes an improvement of their overall health and quality of life. Schedule with us today and ask for a Diabetes Education Consult.