What’s the best way to avoid having low blood sugar?

Q. What’s the best way to avoid having low blood sugar?  

A. Even if you’re doing everything you can to keep your diabetes under control, you may experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) from time to time. The best way to avoid hypoglycemia is to monitor your blood sugar regularly. A blood sugar level of  less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood is considered low, but it is usually not dangerous if you address it promptly. If your meter is not available, treat your low blood sugar as soon as you’re aware of symptoms such as shakiness, dizziness, disorientation, fatigue, or sweatiness. It’s important to start treating your hypoglycemia immediately—especially if you’re driving or engaging in other activities that could put your safety and the safety of others at risk.

To bring your blood sugar up to normal levels, take 4 glucose tablets, or drink 4 ounces of any fruit juice or regular soda (not sugar-free). These are examples of 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, the amount needed to respond to low blood glucose.

It’s a good idea to keep a glucagon injection kit in your home, car, and/or workplace in case of emergency. A glucagon kit includes a syringe filled with diluting solution and a needle, a vial of powder, and a carrying case. When it’s needed, the diluting solution in the syringe is injected into the vial containing the powder, mixed until the powder dissolves, drawn up into the syringe, and injected. Show a few close friends or family members how to give you an injection in case your symptoms are so severe that you cannot help yourself.