What should I do if my blood sugar is 48?
We help you interpret your blood sugar values. You have tested your blood sugar and the result was 48 mg/dl. Let's have a look at the blood sugar gauge: Your result is: Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) To improve your blood sugar you need to increase your blood glucose level by 32mg/dl.
What should my target blood glucose level be if I'm not diabetic?
People who do not have diabetes typically have fasting plasma blood glucose levels that run under 100 mg/dl. Your physician will define for you what your target blood glucose should be — identifying a blood glucose target that is as close to normal as possible that you can safely achieve given your overall medical health.
Why is it important to test the patient’s blood glucose?
Since the treatment is different for each condition, it is critical to test the patient’s blood glucose when symptoms occur. The risk factors that may have led to the condition, and the recent medical history of the patient also help to determine the cause of symptoms.
What is my A1c if my blood sugar is 48?
You have tested your blood sugar and the result was 48 mg/dl. The corresponding A1C is 3.3%. Let's have a look at the blood sugar gauge: mg/dl 0 200 48
What should you do if blood sugar is 48?
The 15-15 Rule. For low blood sugar between 55-69 mg/dL, raise it by following the 15-15 rule: have 15 grams of carbs and check your blood sugar after 15 minutes. If it's still below your target range, have another serving. Repeat these steps until it's in your target range.
What does a glucose level of 48 mean?
Persistently high blood sugar usually means you have diabetes. If HbA1c is more than 48 mmol/mol or fasting blood glucose is more than 11 mmol/L, your blood sugar is high. For most people without diabetes, normal blood sugar levels are: between 4 and to 6 mmol/L before meals.
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 is the emergency treatment for someone with hypoglycemia?
IV dextrose is the best treatment for inpatients and for patients found by emergency medical services personnel. IV dextrose is available in different concentrations. Concentrated IV dextrose 50% (D50W) is most appropriate for severe hypoglycemia, providing 25 g of dextrose in a standard 50-mL bag.
What happens when blood sugar drops below 50?
Most people will feel the effects and symptoms of low blood sugar when blood glucose levels are lower than 50 mg/dL. Symptoms and signs include nervousness, dizziness, trembling, sweating, hunger, weakness, and palpitations. Severe cases may lead to seizures and loss of consciousness.
What glucose level is too low?
Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is considered low. Blood sugar at or below this level can be harmful. The medical name of low blood sugar is hypoglycemia. To treat low blood sugar the 15/15 rule is usually applied.
What is the priority action for the nurse with a hypoglycemic patient?
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.
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 aid treatment for hyperglycemia?
TreatmentSit them down and give them a sugary drink, or glucose sweets (not a diet drink).If they begin to feel better, give more drinks and some food, particularly biscuits or bread to sustain their blood sugar – a jam sandwich is great.More items...•
How is hypoglycemia treated in diabetes?
Hypoglycemic management Eat or drink something that's mostly sugar or carbohydrates to raise your blood sugar level quickly. Pure glucose — available in tablets, gels and other forms — is the preferred treatment. Foods with more fat, such as chocolate, don't raise blood sugar as quickly.
What priority action should be taken to increase the blood glucose rapidly?
Diabetics Need Immediate First Aid for Low Blood SugarsEat or drink 15 grams of a carbohydrate (which metabolizes into sugar). ... Wait 15 minutes and recheck the blood sugar level. ... Once the blood sugar reaches 70 mg/dl, add some protein. ... Inject glucagon if necessary. ... Follow up with a physician.
Which medication will the nurse administer to treat hypoglycemia?
Glucagon. Glucagon is indicated as a treatment for severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which may occur in patients with diabetes mellitus.
What are blood sugar targets?
A blood sugar target is the range you try to reach as much as possible. These are typical targets:
How to get blood sugar to 70?
Drink four ounces of fruit juice. Drink four ounces of regular soda, not diet soda. Eat four pieces of hard candy. Wait for 15 minutes and then check your blood sugar again. Do one of the above treatments again until your blood sugar is 70 mg/dL or above and eat a snack if your next meal is an hour or more away.
How can I check my blood sugar?
Use a blood sugar meter (also called a glucometer) or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to check your blood sugar. A blood sugar meter measures the amount of sugar in a small sample of blood, usually from your fingertip. A CGM uses a sensor inserted under the skin to measure your blood sugar every few minutes. If you use a CGM, you’ll still need to test daily with a blood sugar meter to make sure your CGM readings are accurate.
How can I treat low blood sugar?
If you’ve had low blood sugar without feeling or noticing symptoms (hypoglycemia unawareness), you may need to check your blood sugar more often to see if it’s low and treat it. Driving with low blood sugar can be dangerous, so be sure to check your blood sugar before you get behind the wheel.
What causes blood sugar to be high?
Many things can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), including being sick, being stressed, eating more than planned, and not giving yourself enough insulin. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to long-term, serious health problems. Symptoms of high blood sugar include:
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
If you think you may have low blood sugar, check it even if you don’t have symptoms.
How do carbs affect blood sugar?
Carbs in food make your blood sugar levels go higher after you eat them than when you eat proteins or fats. You can still eat carbs if you have diabetes. The amount you can have and stay in your target blood sugar range depends on your age, weight, activity level, and other factors. Counting carbs in foods and drinks is an important tool for managing blood sugar levels. Make sure to talk to your health care team about the best carb goals for you.
What does a blood sugar level of 200 mean?
Regardless of when you last ate, a random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher suggests diabetes, especially when coupled with any of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as frequent urination and extreme thirst. Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast.
How to manage diabetes?
Make a commitment to manage your diabetes. Take your medications as recommended. Learn all you can about type 1 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and ask your health care team for help.
Why is A1C important?
Compared with repeated daily blood sugar tests, A1C testing better indicates how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. An elevated A1C level may signal the need for a change in your insulin regimen, meal plan or both.
What does A1C mean?
It measures the percentage of blood sugar attached to the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells (hemoglobin). The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.
How long does it take to retest for Type 1 diabetes?
Retest again in 15 minutes to make sure it has risen to a safe level. Working. Type 1 diabetes can pose some challenges in the workplace. For example, if you work in a job that involves driving or operating heavy machinery, hypoglycemia could pose a serious risk to you and those around you.
How to get a diabetic to exercise?
Physical activity. Everyone needs regular aerobic exercise, and people who have type 1 diabetes are no exception. First, get your doctor's OK to exercise. Then choose activities you enjoy, such as walking or swimming, and make them part of your daily routine.
What type of medication is prescribed for type 1 diabetes?
Other medications. Additional medications also may be prescribed for people with type 1 diabetes, such as: High blood pressure medications. Your doctor may prescribe angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) to help keep your kidneys healthy.
What is the A1C of 48 mg/dl?
We help you interpret your blood sugar values. You have tested your blood sugar and the result was 48 mg/dl. The corresponding A1C is 3.3%. Let's have a look at the blood sugar gauge:
What test can be used to check blood sugar?
Diabetics often have a glucometer to determine if low blood sugar is the cause. Test strips can also determine if blood sugar levels have dropped too low. They can then take measures to raise their blood sugar to a normal range.
What is low blood sugar?
Low blood sugar, clinical name hypoglycemia, is a condition in which blood sugar levels in the body fall too low. Generally, a blood sugar level between 80 and 110 milligrams per deciliter is considered to be in normal range. When this level falls below 80, individuals may develop symptoms of low blood sugar. This condition often occurs in people with diabetes, when they try to control high glucose levels and the level falls too low. However, low blood sugar can occur from other causes, such as going for long periods without eating, from certain medications and from specific medical conditions.
Why does blood sugar go down?
However, low blood sugar can occur from other causes, such as going for long periods without eating, from certain medications and from specific medical conditions.
What are the factors that affect blood sugar?
While your blood sugar might be too low or too hight for a normal blood sugar, factors like exercising or eating do have impact on the ideal blood sugar level. Do you want a more detailed report?
What does it mean when your blood sugar drops?
When blood sugar drops below normal levels, they learn to recognize the signs, such as dizziness or nausea. Diabetics often have a glucometer to determine if low blood sugar is the cause.
What is the condition where blood has a high sodium and glucose concentration?
Hyperosmolarity is a condition in which the blood has a high sodium and glucose concentration, causing water to move out of the cells into the bloodstream. Further information on the treatment of DKA and HHS can be found on the Canadian Diabetes Association clinical guidelines website. Critical Thinking Exercises.
How long after eating should blood glucose be taken?
Blood glucose levels should be taken one to two hours after eating. If hyperglycemia is not treated, the patient is at risk for developing DKA. This is a life-threatening condition in which the body produces acids, called ketones, as a result of breaking down fat for energy.
What is the mortality rate of a diabetic with hyperglycemia?
This is a serious diabetic emergency that carries a mortality rate of 10% to 50% . Hyperosmolarity is a condition in which the blood has a high sodium and glucose concentration, causing water to move out of the cells into the bloodstream.
What is the cause of hyperglycemia?
Hyperglycemia occurs when blood glucose values are greater than 7 mmol/L in a fasting state or greater than 10 mmol/L two hours after eating a meal (Pardalis, 2005). Hyperglycemia is a serious complication of diabetes that can result from eating too much food or simple sugar; insufficient insulin dosages; infection, illness, or surgery; and emotional stress. Surgical patients are particularly at risk for developing hyperglycemia due to the surgical stress response (Dagogo-Jack & Alberti, 2002; Mertin, Sawatzky, Diehl-Jones, & Lee, 2007). Classic symptoms of hyperglycemia include the three Ps: polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia.
What causes hypoglycemia in diabetic patients?
Potential causes of hypoglycemia in a hospitalized diabetic patient include: Receiving insulin and some oral antidiabetic medications (e.g., glyburide) Fasting for tests and surgery. Not following prescribed diabetic diet. New medications or dose adjustments. Missed snacks.
How to treat hypoglycemia?
If you suspect that your patient is hypoglycemic, obtain a blood glucose level through skin puncture. A 15 g oral dose of glucose should be given to produce an increase in blood glucose of approximately 2.1 mmol/L in 20 minutes (Canadian Diabetes Association, 2013). Table 9.2 outlines an example of a protocol that may be used in the treatment of hypoglycemia.
How to increase blood glucose levels?
1 tablespoon of honey, OR. 3 tablespoons of table sugar dissolved in water. Note: Milk, orange juice, and glucose gels increase blood glucose (BG) levels more slowly and are not the best choice unless the above alternatives are not available.
What is the normal blood glucose level after fasting?
A normal result for fasting blood glucose ranges from 70 – 100 mg/dL.
What is the A1C of 48 mg/dl?
We help you interpret your blood sugar values. You have tested your blood sugar fasting and the result was 48 mg/dl. The corresponding A1C is 3.3%. Let's have a look at the blood sugar gauge:
What does a high fasting blood sugar mean?
According to criteria set by the American Diabetes Association, a higher than normal fasting blood sugar between 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) may indicate prediabetes. This shows an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. When the measurement is above 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L), a diagnosis of diabetes is likely.
Why does blood sugar rise when you eat?
No matter what is eaten, from a small snack to a large meal, blood glucose values rise in response to any carbohydrates that are digested. Check your fasting blood sugar. In a healthy person, the pancreas reacts to the higher blood glucose by releasing insulin, a hormone that converts blood sugar into usable energy.
How long before a fasting blood test can you drink?
In order to prepare for a fasting blood sugar test, one must refrain from eating or drinking from eight to twelve hours before the test, depending upon the doctor’s instructions.
Why is my blood sugar level lower than normal?
A lower than normal result may point to hypoglycemia that is caused by a specific type of tumor in the pancreas, and further diagnostic testing is needed. Besides eating or drinking during the eight hours before the fasting blood sugar test, other factors may influence the outcome.
How long does it take for glucagon to release?
In addition to carbohydrates, other body processes also raise blood sugar levels.When a person fasts, which is defined medically as not eating or drinking anything aside from water for at least eight hours, the release of glucagon is triggered in the body.
What is the target blood glucose level for people who don't have diabetes?
People who do not have diabetes typically have fasting plasma blood glucose levels that run under 100 mg/dl. Your physician will define for you what your target blood glucose should be — identifying a blood glucose target that is as close to normal as possible that you can safely achieve given your overall medical health.
How long does it take for blood glucose to go up to 180?
Your treatment plan may need adjustment if the blood glucose stays over 180 mg/dl for 3 days in a row. It is important to aim to keep your blood glucose under control and treat hyperglycemia when it occurs.
How to check blood glucose levels?
Try to determine if there is a pattern to your blood glucose levels. Check your blood glucose before meals 3 days in a row. If greater than your target level for 3 days, a change in medication may be needed. Call your healthcare team or adjust your insulin dose following well day rules. Call your healthcare team if you are currently using diabetes ...
What causes a blood glucose meter to not read?
Skipped or not enough diabetes pills or insulin. Insulin that has spoiled after being exposed to extreme heat or freezing cold. Stress, illness, infection, injury or surgery. A blood glucose meter that is not reading accurately.
What to do if your blood sugar is 250?
If your blood glucose is 250 or greater and you are on insulin, check your urine for ketones. If you have ketones, follow your sick day rules or call your healthcare team if you are not sure what to do. Ask yourself what may have caused the high blood sugar, and take action to correct it.
How can diabetes be controlled?
Diabetes can be controlled by keeping blood sugar levels within a normal range, eating well and being physically active. Find out what your targets are from your healthcare provider. What can you do...
What is considered high blood glucose?
In general, high blood glucose, also called 'hyperglycemia', is considered "high" when it is 160 mg/dl or above your individual blood glucose target . Be sure to ask your healthcare provider what he or she thinks is a safe target for you for blood glucose before and after meals.
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Depending on what type of diabetes you have, blood sugar monitoring, insulin and oral medications may play a role in your treatment. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and participating in regular activity also are important factors in managing diabetes.
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Diabetes is a serious disease. Following your diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. Careful management of diabetes can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications. 1. Make a commitment to managing your diabetes.Learn all you can about diabetes. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and ask your diabetes treatme…
Alternative Medicine
- Numerous substances have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in some studies, while other studies fail to find any benefit for blood sugar control or in lowering A1C levels. Because of the conflicting findings, there aren't any alternative therapies that are currently recommended to help everyone with blood sugar management. If you decide to try any type of alternative therapy, don'…
Coping and Support
- Living with diabetes can be difficult and frustrating. Sometimes, even when you've done everything right, your blood sugar levels may rise. But stick with your diabetes management plan, and you'll likely see a positive difference in your A1C when you visit your doctor. Because good diabetes management can be time-consuming, and sometimes overwhelming, some people fin…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor if you're having diabetes symptoms. If your child is having diabetes symptoms, you might see your child's pediatrician. If blood sugar levels are extremely high, you'll likely be sent to the emergency room. If blood sugar levels aren't high enough to put you or your child immediately at risk, you may be referred to a doctor who speciali…
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes: 1. Taking insulin 2. Carbohydrate, fat and protein counting 3. Frequent blood sugar monitoring 4. Eating healthy foods 5. Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight The goal is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible to delay or prevent complications. Generally, the goal is to...
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Careful management of type 1 diabetes can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications. Consider these tips: 1. Make a commitment to manage your diabetes.Take your medications as recommended. Learn all you can about type 1 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and …
Coping and Support
- Diabetes can affect your emotions both directly and indirectly. Poorly controlled blood sugar can directly affect your emotions by causing behavior changes, such as irritability. There may be times you feel resentful about your diabetes. People with diabetes have an increased risk of depression and diabetes-related distress, which may be why many diabetes specialists regularly include a s…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- If you suspect that you or your child might have type 1 diabetes, get evaluated immediately. A simple blood test can let your doctor know if you need further evaluation and treatment. After diagnosis, you'll need close medical follow-up until your blood sugar level stabilizes. A doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders (endocrinologist) generally coordinates diabetes care. Your h…