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Dealing with low blood sugar when you have gestational diabetes
IntroductionWomen who take insulin shots or take the medicine glyburide are at risk for low blood sugar levels. Most women with gestational diabetes do not have problems with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If your blood sugar (glucose) drops very low, it is very important to be treated immediately so that neither you nor your baby is harmed. Key points
More information about diabetes can be found in these topics:
Return to topic: What is a low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) emergency?Low blood sugar means that the level of sugar in your blood has dropped below what your body needs to function normally. Most women with gestational diabetes do not have problems with low blood sugar. But if your blood sugar does drop, it can do so quickly (within 10 to 15 minutes). This usually happens 1 to 2 hours after you have had a shot of fast-acting insulin. Low blood sugar can occur if you:
Even if your blood sugar level reading is normal, you may have symptoms of low blood sugar if your level is suddenly lower than usual. For example, if your blood sugar level has been more than 200 mg/dL for a week and the level drops suddenly to 70 mg/dL, you may develop symptoms of low blood sugar. Test Your Knowledge
Continue to Why is it important to quickly deal with low blood sugar emergencies?There are three types of low blood sugar: mild, moderate, and severe. If your blood sugar level falls below 55 mg/dL, your body reacts in the same way it does when you feel very afraid, angry, or anxious. These symptoms of mild low blood sugar often last for only a short time if you eat food that contains sugar, which causes the blood sugar level to rise. An emergency is not likely to develop, and you and your baby will not have any long-lasting effects. Do not drive a car or operate other machinery if you think that your blood sugar is low. You could harm yourself or someone else. Check your blood sugar before driving. Do not drive if your blood sugar level is less than 70 mg/dL. If your blood sugar continues to drop (below 40 mg/dL), your brain may receive too little sugar to work well. Problems with judgment and muscle coordination are symptoms of moderate low blood sugar. If your blood sugar drops below 20 mg/dL (severe low blood sugar), you could have a seizure or stop breathing, possibly harming your baby. You could also fall into a coma, have a stroke, or possibly die. Test Your Knowledge
Continue to How to deal with low blood sugar emergenciesHere are some ways you can prevent and manage low blood sugar emergencies. Be prepared Although most women with gestational diabetes do not have problems with low blood sugar, you should always be prepared for the possibility.
Treat low blood sugar early Treat low blood sugar levels as soon as the symptoms are noticed, whether by you or by someone else.
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Continue to Where to go from hereNow that you have read this information, you are ready to prevent and treat low blood sugar levels effectively. Talk with your doctor. If you have questions about this information, take it with you when you visit your doctor. Return to Credits
True This answer is correct. Low blood sugar means that the level of sugar in the blood has dropped below what the body needs to function normally. False This answer is incorrect. Low blood sugar does mean that the level of sugar in the blood has dropped below what the body needs to function normally. Exercised more than usual, not eaten enough food, or taken too much insulin. This answer is correct. Low blood sugar can develop because you have exercised more than usual, not eaten enough food, or taken too much insulin. It can also develop if you skip meals, take certain medicines, or drink too much alcohol. Not slept enough, eaten too much candy, or watched TV all day. This answer is incorrect. Low blood sugar does not develop from getting too little sleep, eating too much candy, or watching TV all day. The correct answer is a. Low blood sugar can develop because you have exercised more than usual, not eaten enough food, or taken too much insulin. It can also develop if you skip meals, take certain medicines, or drink too much alcohol. I can fall into a coma and possibly die. This answer is correct. If your blood sugar level drops to 20 mg/dL or lower, your baby could be harmed if you have a seizure or stop breathing. You could fall into a coma and possibly die. I will act like I am okay. This answer is incorrect. If your blood sugar level drops to 20 mg/dL or lower, you will not act like you are okay. You will not be alert enough to eat something that contains sugar to raise your blood sugar level. The correct answer is a. If your blood sugar level drops to 20 mg/dL or lower, your baby could be harmed if you have a seizure or stop breathing. You could fall into a coma and possibly die. I will be able to eat or drink something to raise it. This answer is incorrect. If your blood sugar level drops to 20 mg/dL or lower, you will not be able to eat or drink something to raise it. You will not be alert enough to eat or drink something that contains sugar without help. The correct answer is a. If your blood sugar level drops to 20 mg/dL or lower, your baby could be harmed if you have a seizure or stop breathing. You could fall into a coma and possibly die. My insulin. This answer is incorrect. To be prepared for a low blood sugar emergency, you do not need to carry your insulin. An insulin shot would cause your blood sugar level to drop more. The correct answer is b. To be prepared for a low blood sugar emergency, always have some fat-free milk or quick-sugar foods with you. About 8 fl oz (236 mL) of fat-free milk will raise your blood sugar level 25 mg/dL to 30 mg/dL. Quick-sugar foods put sugar into your bloodstream rapidly and will raise your blood sugar level about 30 mg/dL within 15 minutes. Review the list of quick-sugar foods. Some quick-sugar foods. This answer is correct. To be prepared for a low blood sugar emergency, have some fat-free milk or quick-sugar foods with you. About 8 fl oz (236 mL) of fat-free milk will raise your blood sugar level 25 mg/dL to 30 mg/dL. Quick-sugar foods put sugar into your bloodstream rapidly and will raise your blood sugar level about 30 mg/dL within 15 minutes. Review the list of quick-sugar foods. A protein bar. This answer is incorrect. To be prepared for a low blood sugar emergency, you do not need to carry a protein bar. A protein bar will not get sugar into your bloodstream fast enough. The correct answer is b. To be prepared for a low blood sugar emergency, have some fat-free milk or quick-sugar foods with you. About 8 fl oz (236 mL) of fat-free milk will raise your blood sugar level 25 mg/dL to 30 mg/dL. Quick-sugar foods put sugar into your bloodstream rapidly and will raise your blood sugar level about 30 mg/dL within 15 minutes. Review the list of quick-sugar foods. Call my doctor immediately. This answer is incorrect. If your blood sugar level is 50 mg/dL, you do not need to call your doctor immediately. But you do need to treat the low blood sugar level to prevent an emergency. The correct answer is c. If your blood sugar level is 50 mg/dL, you need to follow the steps for dealing with low blood sugar. Go to sleep and rest. This answer is incorrect. If your blood sugar level is 50 mg/dL, you should not go to sleep and rest. You need to treat the low blood sugar to prevent an emergency. The correct answer is c. If your blood sugar level is 50 mg/dL, you need to follow the steps for dealing with low blood sugar. Follow the steps for dealing with low blood sugar. This answer is correct. If your blood sugar level is 50 mg/dL, you need to follow the steps for dealing with low blood sugar.
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