Helping your patients avoid and manage hypoglycemia

Activities/habits that increase risk for hypoglycemia

•Failure to inject insulin at correct times (30-45 minutes prior to meals for short-acting regular insulin
and 10-15 minutes before a meal for rapid-acting analogs and premixed insulin)
•More physical activity than usual
•Not eating on time
•Missing meals
•Drinking alcohol
Signs of hypoglycemia
Shakiness, lightheadedness Nervousness, irritability
Confusion Hunger
Tachycardia Sweatiness, feeling headachy
Weakness Numbness or tingling of the lips or tongue

Guidance for managing hypoglycemia

•Self-treatment of minor hypoglycemia with consumption of fast-acting carbohydrates
•Glucagon injection kits for emergency treatment of major hypoglycemia (administered by family
members)

Meece J, The Diabetes Educator, 32(suppl):9S-18S. © 2006, American Association of

Diabetes Educators. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.