According to the CDC, 12.6% of adults (20 or older) in the United States have diabetes. That\u2019s over 28.4 million people. Pair that sheer number with the most common complication for people living with diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and you can understand why there\u2019s growing cause for watchfulness and preparedness in healthcare and educational operations. <\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t take much for a diabetic\u2019s blood sugar to dip too low. Small things, like taking too much medication (including insulin), skipping meals, eating less than normal or exercising more than usual can lead to hypoglycemia. If not treated immediately, low blood sugar levels may lead to seizures or unconsciousness, and in extreme cases, coma. <\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re a hospital or long-term care community, elementary school or university, the power to prevent a medical emergency lies within your pantry. Or at least, it should. Keep a few diabetic-friendly snacks on hand, namely easily digestible carbohydrates. Also keep a watchful eye on your patients and residents or students who are dealing with diabetes. Immediately treat them if they start showing any of the most common signs or symptoms of low blood sugar.<\/p>\n
These can occur suddenly, so constant monitoring is key. Watch for mild to moderate:<\/p>\n
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Consume 15-20 grams of glucose or simple carbohydrates. Examples include:<\/p>\n
We\u2019re kicking off National Diabetes Month with this primer on the most common concern when caring for people living with diabetes: low blood sugar, aka hypoglycemia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":4446,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68,111,112],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culinary-ideas","category-healthcare","category-k12-education"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n