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Hello.

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Thanks for joining me for Severe Low Blood Sugar Basics.

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Life is a journey and so much of it happens

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while we are busy making other plans.

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And as much as we would like, we can’t plan for everything.

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Sometimes, even when people with diabetes are taking steps

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to prevent severe low blood sugar

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life can still get in the way.

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A1C is a blood test

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that measures average blood sugar over the past 3 months.

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Because A1C doesn’t look at how your blood sugar levels vary from hour to hour,

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or from day to day, you may still be at risk

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for severe low blood sugar, regardless of your A1C level.

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Now, let’s talk about

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some of the causes of severe low blood sugar.

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In one study, people with diabetes who take insulin reported

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a range of everyday circumstances that

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can lead to low blood sugar emergencies.

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These include not eating enough food,

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unexpected or unusual physical activity,

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taking the wrong amount of insulin,

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situations that cause stress,

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changing blood sugar levels,

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and not noticing signs or symptoms of low blood sugar.

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A severe low blood sugar emergency could happen anytime, and anywhere.

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So, people with diabetes should be prepared with an emergency plan,

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just in case.

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Things to remember.

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One, you may be at risk for severe low blood sugar, regardless of your A1C level.

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Two, a range of everyday circumstances can lead to low blood sugar emergencies.

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Three, be prepared with an emergency plan

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just in case.

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Thank you for joining us for Severe Low Blood Sugar Basics.

Why Severe Low Blood Sugar Matters

Sugar is the main source of energy for your body and brain, so it makes sense that severe low blood sugar can be bad for your health, both in the short term and long term.

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The Possible Effects of Severe Low Blood Sugar

Severe low blood sugar can affect your life in different ways. Some of these concerns are milder, and others can be more serious, such as physical injury and, in extreme cases, loss of life. However, if treated promptly, people will have a full recovery without long-term effects.

Severe low blood sugar can differ in severity and vary from person to person.

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Being Your Own Advocate

It's never too late to take steps to help reduce your risk of severe low blood sugar. If you tell your healthcare provider about your low and severe low blood sugar events soon after they happen, they can help you reduce the likelihood of severe low blood sugar events in the future.

Review Your Knowledge

QUESTION 1 OF 2

 

Scenario 1: Jane is a young mother who had to pick up her daughter from school unexpectedly, so she missed her lunch. She is starting to feel shaky and weak, but she finds some hard candy in her purse. After eating it, she feels better.

Is Jane experiencing non-severe low blood sugar or severe low blood sugar?

QUESTION 1 OF 2

Well Done!

Jane is experiencing non-severe low blood sugar. Fortunately, Jane noticed that her blood sugar was dropping. She was able to bring her blood sugar back up by finding and eating some hard candy.

QUESTION 2 OF 2

Scenario 2: Michael is 70 years old and accidentally injected a higher dose of insulin than normal. He goes to watch some television, not realizing the dosing error. A little while later, he is feeling dizzy and confused, but he can't get off the couch to drink some juice.

Is Michael experiencing non-severe low blood sugar or severe low blood sugar?

Learn More About Severe Low Blood Sugar Below

  1. Edelman SV. Diabetes Educ. 2014;40(3):269-279.
  2. Frier BM. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2014;10(12):711-722.
  3. Kedia N. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2011;4:337-346.

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