Matias tells you that he is very frightened of having his blood sugar drop too low. What is hypoglycemia? What are the symptoms? What information would you give to Matias to make sure he is well prepared to prevent or treat hypoglycemia?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Hypoglycemia is defined as a blood glucose level of less than 70 mg/dL according to the American Diabetes Association. In other words, it is low blood sugar.
• Symptoms associated with hypoglycemia include:
Weakness
Shakiness
Perspiration
Hunger
Rapid heartbeat
Symptoms are individual and vary from person to person
If severe, altered mental status may occur (may lose consciousness)
• Remedy for mild hypoglycemia is the 15/15 rule:
First, Matias should be able to identify signs and symptoms associated with hypoglycemia.
Matias would be instructed to monitor his blood glucose level. If he has a low reading (<70 mg/dL), he should know that he is hypoglycemic and he should apply the 15/15 rule.
Matias would consume a food/beverage providing 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrates such as ½ cup fruit juice, 3-4 glucose tablets, etc.
If blood sugar is below 50 mg/dL, 20-30 g of carbohydrate should be consumed.
Then Matias should wait 15 minutes and re-check his blood glucose. If it is still low, he should consume 15 g more of carbohydrates and the process should be repeated.
If he has exercised, if he will not eat within the next hour, or if he is going to bed, an additional snack may be needed.
• Severe hypoglycemia cannot be self-treated with the 15/15 rule. Thus, having him inform his friends and family of the signs of what to look for and how to treat hypoglycemia can be life-saving.
• Determine that he feels comfortable with recognizing his personal signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia before it becomes too severe to self-treat.
• Determine awareness that exercise can make one prone to hypoglycemia, especially strenuous exercise lasting a longer duration. Ensure that he knows appropriate equipment to keep on hand during exercise: personal and diabetes information, carbohydrate snack.
- Liquid, soft, or otherwise easily chewed/swallowed simple carbohydrate options will allow quick and easy administration (for himself and others if their assistance is needed).