
- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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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.
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Sept. 30, 2010
Tips to keep blood sugar steady
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Do you pig out when you have a low blood sugar? Does it seem you can't stuff enough food into your mouth at once to make that desperate feeling go away?
I've been told by my patients that avoiding overeating when you are experiencing low blood sugar is about the hardest thing you can do. That's because your body is physically telling you to put everything you possibly can eat into your mouth.
Hunger is one of the symptoms of low blood sugar, unfortunately it takes a while for the food to absorb and the brain to get the signal everything will be OK. The only source of fuel the brain effectively uses is glucose, and it takes at least 15 minutes before the blood glucose will start to rise after treating a low glucose. You may not feel any relief for a while longer after the treatment.
Here are some ways to help you resist over-treating and avoid the blood glucose pendulum swinging from low to high.
- Use unit size low glucose treatment kits (15 grams of carbohydrate), juice boxes, and boxes of raisins.
- Keep glucose kits handy on a bedside table, in a purse, pockets, work desk drawer, golf bag, gym bag, glove compartment. You won't be tempted to run to the cupboard or refrigerator.
- Use glucose tablets for treatments (they don't taste all that great and may actually work a little fast because they are "already glucose" and your body doesn't have to convert them to glucose before they can be used for energy).
- When you have low blood glucose, test, treat, and then repeat the process in 15 minutes. Tell yourself that no matter how much you eat, it takes 15 minutes before your blood glucose will rise. This may or may not work.
- Follow the Rule of 15.
- If you do over-treat low blood glucose, don't beat yourself up mentally, remember you are only human.
Your thoughts?
Have a good week,
Nancy
31 comments posted
February 15, 2013 7:06 p.m.
My husband has type 2 diabetis. He takes Lantus and Novolog insulin. His blood glucose often becomes too low, especially prior to noon meal. The Dr advised to raise the blood glucose level up with carbohydrates or pills he was given, retest with monitor, and if glucose was raised, to give the Novolog injection as usual prior to eating his meal. I am confused on why you would raise a glucose level above low, and then give a novolog injection which is going to lower it again in a short time.
- Sharon
February 15, 2013 7:05 p.m.
My husband has type 2 diabetis. He takes Lantus and Novolog insulin. His blood glucose often becomes too low, especially prior to noon meal. The Dr advised to raise the blood glucose level up with carbohydrates or pills he was given, retest with monitor, and if glucose was raised, to give the Novolog injection as usual prior to eating his meal. I am confused on why you would raise a glucose level above low, and then give a novolog injection which is going to lower it again in a short time.
- Sharon
January 24, 2013 4:40 a.m.
What do I do when my blood sugar jumps up in a matter of less than 3 min. then falls back down even lower,after taking my tabs/THEN JUMPS UP AGAIN?
- Tom
September 29, 2012 11:23 p.m.
I disagree that you are hungry when sugar is low...I eat only because I have to to bring the level up...I am T1. Low blood sugar is one of the scariest things you can experience.....for a dr to suggest for you to take 2 units of rapid acting insulin when you are below 70 is irresponsible ..in my opinion....some times you have to make your own call even though there may a consequence to follow..
- Anne
September 18, 2012 3:12 p.m.
Justin, Frequent low blood glucoses can affect the awareness of hypoglycemia symptoms. Try to run the blood glucoses in a little higher blood glucose target and avoid low blood glucoses for several weeks and see if some of the symptoms return. "The Diabetes Athlete" is a good book for serious athletes.
- Nancy and Peggy
September 16, 2012 1:26 a.m.
I am having trouble feeling my low sugars. I am an athlete, I have a solid diet and I have had diabetes around 8 years. I test 4-5 a day, 21 years old, 6'1, 210. Is this normal to not feel lows? Any ways to get back to feeling lows like they did for the first time?
- Justin
July 6, 2012 6:12 p.m.
I have low blood sugar and it drops every two hours i dont know way i have it i eat all day just about and when it drops my brain goes crazy i have been too doctors and all they tell me is too watch my diet but i dont eat sugar but i have ate so much penut butter and crackers im sick of them and now i can not use the bath room so can any one please please tell me what can be done about low blood sugar or what i can eat too keep it from dropping so much it is.realdy making me nervous all of the time it is destroying my systerm thank you please help patsy
- patsy
February 27, 2012 4:33 p.m.
I just wanted to warn others that when you wait too long to eat-you may still get a headache so avoid doing this because then you will be taking headache medicine and that can cause more problems-I actually use dark chocolate kisses-Two is perfect and works fast and I avoid headaches which can be everyday-
- kay
February 25, 2012 3:23 p.m.
Is there a picture book with photos of serving amount limits for suitable foods for a Type-2 diabetic or a web service where a person can type in the foods he/she likes and the calculator will tell how much of each to eat daily? Thanks.
- Bob
September 16, 2011 9:21 a.m.
my papa is 80 years old.he's suger level is near 299-300 .so give me veg-diet to control suger & some exersize.
- santosh
July 9, 2011 5:48 p.m.
Hi THANKS! SeamuS
- Seamus
June 24, 2011 2:16 a.m.
Carol, the best answer I have is that the liver produces excess sugar at night and dumps it in to the system so when you test in the am it is high, Actually, what helped for me is a small pm or bedtime snack of about 15 carbs and add a small amount of protein. crackers and cheese or peanut butter seems to trick my body that I have enough sugar in my system for the night
- Karen
June 12, 2011 8:55 p.m.
My daughter has severe symptoms of hypoglycemia. She has been to an endocrinologist and he had her test glucose levels for 2 weeks with a diary of food intake. She eats relatively healthy -- low fat and very little sugar. She was supposed to take her glucose level 2 hours after meals. Before the two hours were up she would feel severe symptoms of hypoglycemia. Her blood sugar levels were between 70 and 90, which are "within normal ranges" according to Dr. although her symptoms were very similar to those suffering with lows in 50s (shaky, light-headed, unclear thinking, weakness, sleepiness). My son has had type 1 diabetes since the age of 15. He also experienced low blood sugar symptoms a year or two before he was diagnosed with diabetes. Just wondering if pancreas produces too much insulin and goes out of control prior to shutting down completely? Also was reading about reactive hypoglycemia and wondering when it requires more testing with severity of symptoms, as well as what tests should be done? Daughter's symptoms are 3 or 4 times a day, with little difference with change in diet. She has been eating several small meals, but still experiences the symptoms. Her quality of life has definitely been affected greatly. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
- Marie
May 1, 2011 12:05 a.m.
Is there a good book I can use for a diet guide. My mom has diabetes & I need to help her develop a daily meal plan that will keep her blood sugars level. Before I can start, I need to know how she should divide up her calories, carbs, etc.
- Marcie
February 18, 2011 2:45 p.m.
does taking two teaspoonfuls of white vinegar before lunch and dinner stop your blood sugar from spiking? if so how do you swallow it, just by itself?
- margaret
February 8, 2011 10:30 a.m.
Good advice. The only thing I might add is that I try to be aware of whether my BG is going up or down at the time I treat - when was the last time I took insulin? ate? etc. If the BG is stable at 50, it will take less glucose to treat the lo than if it is 60 and plummetting.
- Carl
February 4, 2011 3:35 p.m.
Michael, keep up the good work.
- Nancy and Peggy
January 24, 2011 5:46 p.m.
My a1c for the last 2years ranges from 6.2 to6.6 I have it done every 3 months. Knowing this I don't test every day but never let more than 4 or 5 days go by. Is this ok
- Michael
December 3, 2010 10:50 p.m.
Well for me? It All depend on How Low I am.. Moderately? a couple of tabs and find other things to take my mind off of it..for next 15-20 min and 9/10 x it works If really low ?( 50's or less)? Pig Out time - Couple of Tabs, then a Full can of reg Coke or Pepsi.. 36 carbs.. I go thru the waiting process as usual, but about 1/2 hr and am fine to above 120.. and then? I will take a Correction Bolus for 50% of that 36 carbs = 18 carbs and in a few hours back to in Range again.. Do the same for whatever extra carbs over the 10 I take.. 10 carbs - 50 pts for me..
- Dennis
October 27, 2010 8:02 a.m.
I was diagnosed with type 2 and told to take metformin, watch my diet and test my blood sugar. That's all. I follow the diet they gave me, but my fasting glucose is still high (150) For some reason, 4 hours after dinner it goes down to 106 or so. Why is it so high in the morning? And how can I get it down?
- carol
October 20, 2010 4:00 p.m.
I WAKE UP WITH NUMBNESS IN MY HANDS AND LEGS. HAD MY HEART CHECK THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A STROKE. EVERYTHING TURN OUT GOOD. I HAVE TYPE 2 DIEBETES. COULD I HAVE PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY? ALSO I HAVE SWELLING IN MY STOMACH MY DOCTOR THINKS THE REASON FOR MY HIGH LIVER COUNT AND SWELLING OF MY STOMACH MAY BE CAUSE FROM THE DIEBETES. COULD THIS BE TRUE? WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE. SINCERELY JACKIE
- Jackie
October 19, 2010 4:49 p.m.
wonderful. now tell me what to eat or whatever, to lower the numbers when they are high.
- mike
October 11, 2010 5:38 p.m.
I have had Diabetes 1 since Easter 1970 and it is just as much a pain in the po po as it was then. I am brittle meaning my sugars are hi then wham lo QUICKLY...I cannot take the new insulins because they are no good in my system and all I get from docs is the new toys...oh well. At this point , I am still looking for new doc and staff , and have found none here in DC. Where in Va. or around here can I go? Thanks!
- Rich
October 6, 2010 10:06 a.m.
when my blood sugar goes low it feels like I am dying so I eat alot to make it come up but buy the time I am done my sugar is high I have learned to eat something then get away from the kitchen untill I check my blood surgar again if it is still low I eat a little more, it is very hard not to cram everything you see into your mouth ,just walk away from where the food is it does help
- Debbie
October 5, 2010 2:37 p.m.
I make sure that I always have Glucose tablets in each vehicle and in the home and find that it offers me a little peace of mind and security knowing that I have a remedy close at hand. Rodger
- No name given
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31 comments posted