Trying to control your low blood sugar is much easier said than done. Skipping or delaying your meals, not eating enough carbs, over-exercise without replenishing your nutrients, or drinking alcohol without any carbs in your system beforehand can undoubtedly contribute to low blood sugar problems; taking too much insulin can also be problematic. So, how exactly do you combat low blood sugar?
How Do You Combat Low Blood Sugar?
Hypoglycemia (the medically diagnostic term for low blood sugar) is something that requires immediate treatment. Combatting low blood sugar involves knowing the symptoms, keeping up on your carb consumption, and checking and rechecking your blood sugar until it is within a safe, normal range.
Concerning Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar
Let’s first talk about the symptoms of low blood sugar.
The signs of low blood sugar include:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Sweating
- Elevated heart rate
- Shaking
These symptoms can occur if you consistently skip meals or are taking too much insulin. They can also result from exercise, drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, and eating too few carbs regularly.
What To Do If Your Blood Sugar Is 70 mg/dl
You can find resources and support at Tandem Diabetes, but you also need to monitor your blood sugar levels. For example, what should you do if your blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dl?
The best thing you can do is consume about 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates. Get that quick dose of carbs, then wait 15 minutes before rechecking your blood sugar. Then, assume another 15 grams of carbs if your blood sugar is still below 100 mg/dl, then wait another 15 minutes before checking your blood sugar. Repeat this until you get your blood sugar into an optimal range. If this is a constant issue, you should consult your doctor to craft a better meal plan and medication treatment.
A Quick Carb Guide
When your blood sugar dips below 70 mg/dl, you need a quick-absorbing 15-30 grams of carbs.
Try eating some of these foods to boost your blood sugar level rapidly:
- 12 gummy bears
- 1 Tablespoon of honey, jam, or jelly
- 1/2 cup of apple juice
- 1/3 cup of grape juice
- 1 cup of fat-free milk
- 1/2 of a banana
- 2 tablespoons of raisins
- 3 or 4 glucose tablets
- 1 tube of glucose gel
These foods will quickly raise your blood sugar levels since they get absorbed into the bloodstream after consumption. So eating anything that takes longer to be absorbed won’t be as effective.
Raising your blood sugar to a healthy level is essential and should be done soon. If your blood sugar gets too low consistently, your doctor should know about this and work with you to develop a better treatment regimen.
