Low blood sugar is a common complication of diabetes treatment, especially for people who use insulin. If you have diabetes, it is vitally important that you know how to treat a low blood sugar reaction. The 15-15 rule is a plan for treating low blood sugar levels.
Symptoms
A low blood glucose, or blood sugar, episode is sometimes referred to as an insulin reaction or hypoglycemia. Blood sugar values less than 70 mg/dl are considered too low and are usually associated with symptoms such as feeling shaky, dizzy, lightheaded, confused or weak. A person who has hypoglycemia unawareness may not have any symptoms at all. Even if there are no symptoms, a blood glucose level of 70 mg/dl or less must be treated.
Check and Treat
As soon as you suspect a low blood glucose level, the first step is to get your meter and check your blood sugar level. A result of 70 mg/dl or less requires immediate treatment. The first part of the 15-15 rule stands for eating or drinking 15 g of a fast-acting carbohydrate to bring the blood glucose up. Half a cup of fruit juice, 3 to 4 glucose tablets or 1/2 cup of regular, not diet, soda are all examples of fast-acting sources that contain 15 g of carbohydrate.
Wait and Check
The second part of the 15-15 rule is to wait 15 minutes, allowing the carbohydrate to be absorbed and bring glucose levels up. After 15 minutes, check the blood sugar level again. If the blood glucose is still below 70 mg/dl, treat again with another 15 g of carbohydrate. Repeat the steps of check, treat with 15 g, wait 15 minutes, then check again, until the blood sugar level is above 70 mg/dl.
Warning
Low blood sugar can be a serious emergency. Never give food or liquids to a person who is unconscious or is not able to chew or swallow. Talk to your health care team about a plan for treating a severe low blood sugar emergency.
