- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
Latest entries
- Diabetes etiquette: When you don't have diabetes
May 2, 2013
- Coping with diabetes: Helping your loved one
April 24, 2013
- Types of diabetes
March 16, 2013
- Taking diabetes drugs
Feb. 27, 2013
- Insulin or medication?
Feb. 13, 2013
Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Living with diabetes blog
-
April 2, 2010
Use the rule of 15 to treat low blood glucose
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
This week's blog will be short and sweet. Pun on words, sorry.
I'll review the American Diabetes Association's rule of 15 for treating low blood glucose and list the number of jelly beans it takes to equal 15 grams of carbohydrate per a specific brand of jelly bean.
If your blood glucose is 70 mg/dL (3.9mmol/L) or below, use the rule of 15 to treat hypoglycemia.
- Treat with 15 grams of carbohydrate
- Check blood glucose in 15 minutes
If your blood glucose is still less than 70mg/dL, eat another 15 grams of carbohydrate and re-check blood glucose in 15 minutes. Repeat as needed until blood glucose is in goal range.
These items contain 15 grams of carbohydrate:
- Glucose tablets (3 five-gram tablets or 4 gram tablets)
- Tube of glucose gel
- 4 ounces fruit juice
- 4 ounces sugar sweetened soda pop
- 5 Life Savers
As for jelly beans, see below totals to get approximately 15 grams of carbohydrate:
| Jelly Belly's (regular) | 15 beans |
| Brach's " | 5-6 beans |
| Starburst's " | 10 beans |
Don't use sugar free jelly beans to treat low blood glucose.
And remember:
- Carry carbohydrate at all times to treat hypoglycemia.
- Wear a diabetes identification bracelet or necklace at all times.
Hoppy, Hoppy Easter
Nancy
15 comments posted
February 10, 2012 6:28 a.m.
My husband is a type 2 but his blood sugar has be going down to 52 after 3:00 in the afternoon. Can someone tell me how I can get it to go back to 90 like the doctor wants it> Betty
- No name given
March 1, 2011 8:45 a.m.
As always thanks for the post. I find the Mayo Clinic web site to be a great teaching tool. I typically tell my patients if they repeat the procedure 3 times and their BG does not respond then they need to seek medical attention. Do you tell your patients anything similar to this?
- Kevin
February 4, 2011 3:32 p.m.
dine, if an individual has constant lows your health care provider should be contacted and the insulin program should be adjusted. Don't wait for more lows to happen.
- Nancy and Peggy
January 30, 2011 12:20 p.m.
Should you give a child insulin with meals if he is constant lows
- dine
July 27, 2010 2:43 p.m.
brenda, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can make a person tired. The only way to know if the cause is either, is to test the blood glucose.
- Nancy and Peggy
July 25, 2010 7:09 a.m.
does hypoglycemia cause a person to want to sleep after eating. i'm not talking about "taking a nap feeling tired" but, "literally can't keep eyes open after meal and must sit down" yet 1/2 hour later, their fine?
- brenda
July 5, 2010 9:31 a.m.
I know a person should not exercise if blood glucose level is over 200; however, I don't understand why that is so.
- Eva
April 10, 2010 11:51 p.m.
Thank you sooo much for your response. I haven't even started the blood testing yet. I see the Dr again Wed after a week 1/2 of fruits veggies and increased fiber. Will have a good heart to heart with him then. Ive gotten several library books and also thinking a nutritionist wouldnt be a bad idea too. Thanks again. I really appreciate your response.
- Maria
April 9, 2010 9:11 p.m.
SEA - If you've been a practicing anorexic for a long time.... you can be doing untold damage to your heart, for example. Anorexia is a disease, but you don't really believe it is, you THINK you have it under control. Sure, you CAN learn to eat and live normally ...people who eat regularly don't have attacks of hypoglycemia, but you may have to eat numerous small meals during the day to avoid hypoglycemia, because of what you've conditioned your body to expect.Anorexia is more an emotional illness than it is about weight - so it would be wise to seek some personal help while you are trying to stop starving yourself.
- Babs
April 9, 2010 5:03 p.m.
Maria, I believe because of your bowel condition - fiber requirements won't apply to you. Because it worsens another of your health issues. I can't see any reason for it ! Most of all I agree w/the strictest counting of carbohydrates & it IS most essential that we keep a strict rein on our diet intake of CARBS. High glucose in the blood causes most of the damage to your eyes,veinsWe diabetics are MOST damaged from side effects caused by TOO HIGH glucose in our blood. So - we live by our blood testing kits & pricking our fingers. I've got so good at it that my 3 month A1C was 5.9!! Identical to someone who is non-diabetic. Those glucose meter strips are the most important to show how well we're doing today. The 3 mo A1C shows how we're doing on the average - long term effects. Hopefully if we keep our everyday glucose level low - we won't end up having feet or toes amputated
- Barbara
April 8, 2010 12:45 p.m.
Is it possible for hypoglycemia caused by an eating disorder/long-term starvation to correct its self over time, with proper diet?
- Sea
April 6, 2010 5:44 p.m.
Clear as a bell. Good article
- Anthony
April 6, 2010 4:14 p.m.
The recommended treatment for hypoglycemia is 15 Grams of a simple carbohydrate. This will raise your blood glucose 30-50 mg/dl and is only 60 calories. Please don't under treat.
- Nancy and Peggy
April 6, 2010 8:02 a.m.
I need some guidance and hoping you can help. Ive had short bowel syndrom all my life. (no prenatals, just trying to live a normal life at age 46.) I was just diagnoses with diabetes. Increaing fiber is very painful and most of what Im reading states to do this. Suggestions?? I will be getting with a Register dietition for help. But, need all the help I can get as the most fiber I can handle is 1-2 grams.
- Maria
April 6, 2010 4:10 a.m.
15 Carbs? Mmmmm sounds like alot for me.. Each Glucose tabe provides 25-30 pts on my meter so 3 of them = 75 pts If already 70? = 145 Best Do a Test a few times.. Test your BG's, take 1 tab and wait 1/2 hr and test, then another 1/2 hr and test to get an idea of what 1 tab does for you.. I normally Only Take 1 tab if 65+ and 2 if Lower.. And Don't forget? Those Meters are off! Mine is off an ave of 7%, so a 70 +7% = 75 So Test what 1 tab at a time does for you and do it at least 2-3x to get an idea..
- Dennis
Share on:
15 comments posted