Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia
You should know the signs of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, such as feeling weak or dizzy, sweating more, noticing sudden changes in your heartbeat, or feeling hungry.

If you experience these symptoms, stop exercising and test your blood glucose.

If it is 70 or less, eat one of the following right away:
*Two or three glucose tablets
*1/2 cup (4 ounces) of any fruit juice
*1/2 cup (4 ounces) of a regular (not diet) soft drink
*1 cup (8 ounces) of milk
*Five or six pieces of hard candy
*1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar or honey

After 15 minutes, test your blood sugar again to find out if it has returned to a healthier level.

Once blood sugar is stable, if it will be at least an hour before your next meal, it's a good idea to eat a snack.

To be safe when you exercise, wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace in case of emergency, and carry something to treat hypoglycemia, such as glucose tablets or hard candy.

Teach all exercise partners the signs of hypoglycemia and what to do.

Medical ID bracelets are carried by http://www.fifty50pharmacy.com/
(half of profits fund research)

Overview of Diabetes

If you are diabetic, your blood glucose can go too high if
you eat too much. If your blood glucose is too high, you
can get sick. Blood glucose is commonly called blood sugar.

Your blood sugar can also go too high or drop too low if
you don't take the right amount of diabetes medicine.

If your blood sugar stays high for too much time, you risk
heart
eye
foot
kidney
or other problems

You can also have problems if your blood sugar gets too
low, a condiction called hypoglycemia.

Keeping a healthy level will prevent or slow down diabetes
problems. Ask your doctor or CDE (certified diabetic
educator) what a healthy blood sugar level is for you.

For most people, target blood sugar levels are
Before meals: 90 to 130
One to two hours after the start of a meal: less than 180

Talk with your doctor about your blood sugar target levels,
and ask your doctor how often you should check your blood
sugar. The results from your blood sugar checks will tell you
if your diabetes care plan is working. Also ask your doctor for
an A1C test at least twice a year. Your A1C result gives your
average blood sugar for the past three months.

To keep your blood sugar at a healthy level:
*Eat about the same amount of food each day.
*Eat your meals and snacks at about the same times each day.
*Do not skip meals or snacks.
*Take your medicines at the same times each day.
*Exercise at about the same times each day.
*Your blood sugar goes up after you eat. If you eat a big
lunch one day and a small lunch the next, your blood sugar
levels change too much.
*Keep your blood sugar at a healthy level by eating about
the same amount of carbohydrate foods at about the same
times each day. Carbohydrate foods provide energy.

Starches, fruits, milk, starchy vegetables such as corn, peas,
and sweets are all carbohydrate foods.

Exercise
What you eat and when also depends on how much you exercise.
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy and controlling
your blood glucose. Exercise should be safe and enjoyable, so talk
with your doctor about what types of exercise are right for you.
Whatever kind of exercise you do, here are some special things
that people with diabetes need to remember:
*Take care of your feet. Make sure your shoes fit properly and
your socks stay clean and dry. Check your feet for redness or
sores after exercising. Call your doctor if you have sores that do
not heal.
*Drink about two cups of water before you exercise, about every
20 minutes during exercise, and after you finish, even if you don't
feel thirsty.
*Warm up and cool down for five to 10 minutes before and after
exercising. For example, walk slowly at first, then walk faster.
Finish up by walking slowly again.
*Test your blood glucose before and after exercising. Do not
exercise if your fasting blood sugar level is above 300. Eat a
small snack if your blood sugar is below 100.
*Know the signs of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) and how
to treat it.


7 Basic Principles for Diabetics from the
National Diabetic Education Program
Principle 1: Find Out What Type of Diabetes You Have
Principle 2: Get Regular Care for Your Diabetes
Principle 3: Learn How To Control Your Diabetes
Principle 4: Treat High Blood Sugar
Principle 5: Monitor Your Blood Sugar Level
Principle 6: Prevent and Diagnose Long-Term Diabetes Problems
Principle 7: Get Checked for Long-Term Problems and Treat Them