Medication
Immediate initial treatment. If you're prone to severe episodes of hypoglycemia, ask your doctor if a home glucagon kit might be appropriate for you. In general, people with diabetes who are treated with insulin should have a glucagon kit for low blood sugar emergencies. Family and friends need to know where to find the kit,...
Therapy
Hypoglycemia 1 Diagnosis. If you use insulin or another diabetes medication to lower your blood sugar, and you have signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, test your blood sugar levels with a blood ... 2 Treatment. Eat or drink 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. ... 3 Clinical trials. ... 4 Preparing for your appointment. ...
Self-care
Hypoglycemia is considered severe if you need help from someone to recover. For example, if you can't eat, you might need glucagon injection or intravenous glucose. In general, people with diabetes who are treated with insulin should have a glucagon kit for emergencies.
Nutrition
You may not exhibit signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia during your initial visit with your doctor. In this case, your doctor may have you fast overnight (or for a longer period). This will allow low blood sugar symptoms to occur so that he or she can make a diagnosis.
How do you treat hypoglycemia?
How to get tested for hypoglycemia?
What is considered severe hypoglycemia?
Why does my doctor have me fast overnight to diagnose hypoglycemia?
What is the immediate treatment for a person with hypoglycemia who is conscious?
Immediate hypoglycemia treatment If you have hypoglycemia symptoms, do the following: Eat or drink 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. These are sugary foods or drinks without protein or fat that are easily converted to sugar in the body.
How is hypoglycemia treated in a conscious patient?
In the conscious patient, the most practical treatment is the oral administration of a rapid-acting carbohydrate (TABLE 4). The rule of 15 is most commonly applied: Administer approximately 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate and perform a repeat check of blood sugar 15 minutes later.
What is the first thing we as nurses do in treating hypoglycemia?
Treatment for Hypoglycemia Consume 15 to 20 grams of quick-acting carbohydrates. These are sugary foods that contain no protein or fat and are quickly converted to glucose in the body. Glucose tablets or gel, fruit juice, regular and not diet soft drinks, honey, and sugary candy are excellent options.
What is the first a priority for correcting hypoglycemia?
When you suspect hypoglycemia the first action to take is to confirm by checking the blood glucose using a blood glucose meter. This is called point-of-care testing (POCT). A result of less than 4mmol/L is considered hypoglycemia or low blood sugar and should be treated right away.
What are the management of hypoglycemia in conscious and unconscious?
Hypoglycaemia which causes unconsciousness or fitting is an emergency. In hypoglycaemia, if sugar cannot be given by mouth, glucagon can be given by injection. A child aged under 8 years or of body weight under 25 kg should be given 500 micrograms.
What is the first aid for hyperglycemia?
When your blood sugar level gets too high — known as hyperglycemia or high blood glucose — the quickest way to reduce it is to take fast-acting insulin.
How do nurses treat hypoglycemia?
Severe hypoglycemia can be treated with intravenous (IV) dextrose followed by infusion of glucose. For conscious patients able to take oral (PO) medications, readily absorbable carbohydrate sources (such as fruit juice) should be given.
When is glucagon used for hypoglycemia?
When to use your glucagon emergency kit. You need glucagon if your blood sugar level is less than 50 mg/dl and you are: Unable to eat or drink safely because you're confused or disoriented. Unconscious.
What are nursing interventions for hyperglycemia?
Emergency Treatment for Severe Hyperglycemia.Replacement of fluids. The patient will be given fluids — usually intravenously — until rehydration. ... Replacement of electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals in the blood that the tissues require to function effectively. ... Insulin administration.
What medications help hypoglycemia?
Medications used in the treatment of hypoglycemia include the following:Glucose supplements (eg, dextrose)Glucose-elevating agents (eg, glucagon, glucagon intranasal)Inhibitors of insulin secretion (eg, diazoxide, octreotide)Antineoplastic agents (eg, streptozocin)
How to treat high blood sugar after eating?
1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, or syrup. Hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops (see food label for how much to eat). 3-4 glucose tablets (follow instructions). 1 dose of glucose gel (usually 1 tube; follow instructions). Tips to keep in mind: It takes time for blood sugar to rise after eating. Give some time for treatment to work.
What is the best way to treat low blood sugar?
Make sure your family members, friends, and caregivers know your signs of low blood sugar so they can help treat it if needed. Injectable glucagon is the best way to treat severely low blood sugar. A glucagon kit is available by prescription. Speak with your doctor to see if you should have a kit.
How to raise blood sugar to 55?
If it’s still below your target range, have another serving. Repeat these steps until it’s in your target range. Once it’s in range, eat a nutritious meal or snack to ensure it doesn’t get too low again.
How much carbs should a child eat to raise blood sugar?
Give some time for treatment to work. Following the 15-15 rule helps. Young children usually need less than 15 grams of carbs, especially infants and toddlers. Ask your doctor how much your child needs.
What to do if you think you have low blood sugar?
If you think you have low blood sugar, check it. If you aren’t able to check it, go ahead and treat it. Untreated low blood sugar can be dangerous, so it’s important to know what to do about it and to treat it immediately.
How long does it take for low blood sugar to go away?
After you have low blood sugar, your early symptoms for low blood sugar are less noticeable for 48 to 72 hours.
What to do if you have a low on glucagon?
If you used glucagon because of a severe low (54 mg/dL or below), immediately call your doctor for emergency medical treatment. If you have had lows several times close together (even if they’re not severe), you should also tell you doctor. They may want to change your diabetes plan.
What is hypoglycemia in diabetes?
What is Hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, happens when blood glucose levels drop too low. For most people with diabetes this means a glucose less than 70 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia can be caused by skipping a meal or a snack, eating less than usual, taking too much diabetes medication, or more exercise than usual.
How to treat low blood sugar?
How to treat a low blood sugar: Step 1: Check your glucose. If your glucose is between 51-70 mg/dl, eat or drink 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise glucose. If you your glucose is less than 50 mg/dl, take 30 grams of carbohydrate. Good sources of 15 grams fast acting carbohydrate are: Step 2: Wait 15 minutes, and check your glucose.
How to treat low blood sugar with a carbohydrate diet?
If your blood sugar is still below 70 mg/dl, eat another 15 grams of fast acting carbohydrate food. If you still do not feel better, call your doctor. Step3: Eat a meal or snack 30-60 minutes after treating low blood sugar.
Why is glycogen important?
This is important, because if your blood sugar is kept normal for about 24 hours, your liver will rebuild its supply of glycogen. This glycogen reserve is of great value for protection from possible subsequent hypoglycemic events. By the way, if we tried to give glucagon to someone twice in the.
How long after a lispro injection can you check your blood sugar?
After you’ve fully recovered your senses, you should check your blood sugar. If at least 5 hours have elapsed since your last dose of a rapid-acting insulin, take enough intramuscular (or subcutaneous) lispro (or aspart or glulisine) insulin to bring your blood sugar back down to your. target.
How does glucagon affect blood sugar?
hormone that rapidly raises blood sugar by causing the liver and muscles to convert stored glycogen to glucose. It is imperative, therefore, that those who live with you know how to give an injection.
What to do if you can't find glucagon?
If your glucagon cannot be found, your companions should dial 911 (in the United States) for the. emergency medical service, or you should be taken to the emergency room of a hospital. When an individual has lost consciousness from hypoglycemia, he. may experience convulsions.
Can high blood sugar cause a bump on the head?
Stroke, heart attack, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and even a bump on the head can render you unconscious. In fact, very high blood sugar (above 400 mg/dl) over several days, especially in a dehydrated individual, can also cause loss of consciousness. We will assume, however, that if you are carefully observing the treatment guidelines ...
Can hypoglycemia cause loss of consciousness?
Treating Hypoglycemia if you are Unconcious. Hypoglycemia is not the only cause of loss of consciousness. Stroke, heart attack, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and even a bump on the head can render you unconscious. In fact, very high blood sugar (above 400 mg/dl) over several days, especially in a dehydrated individual, ...
Call 911 if
A person who has low blood sugar not related to diabetes loses consciousness.
2. Follow Up
If non-diabetic hypoglycemia is recurrent, see a health care provider. The health care provider will do tests to help determine the cause.
Detection
Hypoglycemia occurs from a relative excess of insulin in the blood and results in low blood glucose levels. The level of glucose that produces symptoms of hypoglycemia varies from person to person and varies for the same person under different circumstances.
Prevention
Balancing glycemic control by preventing hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia is key for providing optimum care of individuals with diabetes.
Treatment Strategies
A team approach is also needed in recognizing and treating patients with hypoglycemia. Reviewing the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia with nursing staff and patients may prevent severe hypoglycemic episodes.
Summary
The threat of hypoglycemia is one barrier to providing optimal glycemic control in the inpatient setting. Prevention is key in ensuring patient safety. Identifying risk factors, implementing protocols, avoiding traditional sliding scale insulin regimens, and changing unsafe prescribing behaviors are ways to avoid severe hypoglycemic events.
How to treat hypoglycemia?
You can manage mild hypoglycemia by eating fast-acting carbohydrates. This will help boost your blood sugar levels quickly.
How to stabilize blood sugar levels?
9. When their blood sugar levels return to normal, encourage them to eat a snack or meal that contains protein and carbohydrates. For example, give them some cheese and crackers or half a sandwich to eat. This will help stabilize their blood sugar.
How to get glucagon to clear airway?
2. Administer the glucagon emergency kit or glucagon nasal powder. Follow the package directions to prepare and administer the glucagon properly. 3. Turn the person on their side. If they vomit, this will help clear their airway and prevent them from choking. 4.
What to do if you are unconscious and can't swallow?
If the person is unconscious, having seizures, or too disoriented to swallow. 1. Locate a glucagon emergency kit or glucagon nasal powder, if it’s available. If there’s no glucagon emergency kit or glucagon nasal powder available, skip to step #3. 2.
How long does it take for a diabetic to check his blood sugar?
After 15 minutes, encourage or help them to check their blood sugar levels using a glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor if it’s available. If their blood sugar level is still 70 mg/dL or lower, give them another 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates to eat or drink.
What happens if your blood sugar drops to 70?
If your blood sugar drops to 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or lower, it’s known as hypoglycemia. If left untreated, this condition can cause disorientation, seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death.
Can you give glucagon to someone?
Instead, someone will need to give you glucagon. To prepare for a potential emergency, purchase a glucagon emergency kit or glucagon nasal powder. Help your family members, friends, and others learn where to find it and how to use it. Last medically reviewed on October 1, 2019.