Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose dips below the normal range of 70 mg/dL to 130 mg/dL. Many diabetics suffer from occasional bouts of the condition, but it may be due to other causes such as medication, excessive alcohol consumption or other underlying medical conditions like hyperinsulinism. If you keep the proper products close at hand, you or those around you can easily treat hypoglycemia easily when it occurs before it turns into a medical emergency.
Oral Glucose Tablets
Since you cannot accurately predict when your blood sugars will dip, carry oral glucose supplements with you, particularly if you plan to be in a remote location away from food and beverages. Purchase glucose tablets in 50-count or more bottles, or smaller tubes of 10 tablets. Each tablet is the equivalent of 4 g of fast-acting carbohydrates, and the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse recommends consuming three to four tablets when hypoglycemia sets in. Some manufacturers offer oral glucose products that contain fewer grams of carbohydrates per piece to accommodate small children and very mild cases of hypoglycemia.
Oral Glucose Gel
If a person suffering from hypoglycemia is unable to eat or drink, use glucose gel to bring their blood glucose levels back up. Squeeze some of the gel onto your fingertip and swab it onto the inside of the patient's cheek. The NDIC recommends using the equivalent amount of gel to 15 g of carbohydrates. If the patient revives enough to eat or drink after a smaller amount of the gel, stop using the gel and give them a sweetened beverage instead. If you cannot find glucose gel, use the small tubes of cake icing found in the baking goods aisle of the grocery store.
Glucagon Kits
Glucagon kits are available by prescription only, and are intended for use only in severe cases of hypoglycemia, such as if the patient is unconscious and you are unable to revive them through other means. The glucagon comes packed in a plastic container roughly the size of a travel toothbrush case. It contains a syringe filled with liquid and a vial with either a tablet or powder. Before injecting the liquid beneath the skin, you must fill the vial containing the solid with the liquid in the syringe, and then refill the syringe once the powder or tablet has dissolved. Carry a glucagon kit with you if you suffer from frequent or severe hypoglycemia. In addition, contact your physician or seek emergency treatment after using a glucagon.
Blood Glucose Monitors
Most people who experience hypoglycemic episodes can feel symptoms of an onset of the condition. A home blood glucose monitoring kit allows you to test blood glucose levels to determine if treatment is necessary, and also whether treatment has been effective. Blood glucose monitoring kits, available at most pharmacies without a prescription, consists of a lancet used to prick your finger and draw blood, test strips to absorb the blood, and a meter that reads the blood on the strip and reveals your blood glucose level. The price for these monitors varies widely, depending on the features included. Most insurance plans cover the cost of test strips.
Medical Alert Products
Everyone who suffers from hypoglycemia from time to time should wear or carry some type of medical alert in the case of emergency. Most medical alert products are in the form of jewelry, such as a bracelet or necklace. Some companies offer medical alert identification on watches, shoe tags and sports bands. These products notify emergency personnel that you have a medical condition, allowing them to offer the correct treatment in a timely manner.
