How to Prevent a Hypoglycemic Episode

Hypoglycemic episodes occur when the blood sugar level is too low. An episode may include dizziness, disorientation, even fainting or seizures. To prevent a hypoglycemic episode, it is important that blood glucose be kept level. Moderation and common sense go a long way in keeping your blood sugar level.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Pocket spiral notebook
• List or booklet with suggested foods and menus for maintaining blood sugar levels

Prevent A Hypoglycemic Episode with Diet

1. Plan all meals and snacks in advance. Know what, when and where you are going to eat.
2. Keep to your meal and snack schedule and do not skip meals. Keep amounts and types of food (protein, grain and others) consistent every day.
3. Get a list of recommended foods for meals and snacks from your doctor or dietitian. This list should have menus with several suggestions each for breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks.
4. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Both can create sudden spikes and troughs in blood sugar levels.
5. Gauge your activity level. If you are planning on playing sports or doing some heavy home repair, add an extra snack to your schedule.
6. Keep a small portable snack (like a granola bar) handy at all times. Break it out at the first sign of hypoglycemic symptoms.

Prevent a Hypoglycemic Episode by Keeping Records

7. Buy a pocket spiral notebook and keep it with you. Write down everything you eat and at what time you eat.
8. Keep track of your physical activity in the notebook, especially anything unusually strenuous.
9. Note the days and times when you experience hypoglycemic episodes. Compare them with your food intake and level of activities.
10. Find patterns in what you ate or did before the hypoglycemic episode and take note of these details.
11. Avoid that pattern. Actively work to replace a particular food or combination of food and activity with something healthier.
12. Find more facts about preventing hypoglycemic episodes at Health-Cares (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a dietitian. Your doctor can recommend one. A dietician can give you specific facts and suggestions for controlling hypoglycemia.
• Look for a public workshop on hypoglycemia.
• Avoid shocking your sugar levels with impulsive trips to the donut shop or skipping a meal because you are "too busy."
• Never ignore hypoglycemic symptoms (sweating, headache, poor muscle control). These symptoms mean your brain is in trouble. Sit down and eat something right away.