Is 54 Low Blood Sugar

Change Your Life Today And Reduce Your Risk Of Diabetes

Diabetes can be a massive burden on both your health and your wallet. But, maintaining normal blood sugar levels, managing your weight, and staying physically active are great ways to reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

If you are looking to improve your health and monitor your risk factors for disease, getting covered is a great way to relieve the financial pressures of looking after yourself.

Why not contact us today at Insurdinary for a free, personalized, no-obligation quote from some of the best health care providers in Canada!

What Is Considered Normal Blood Sugar Levels

You can measure blood sugar levels with an at-home finger-prick test that gives you an instant reading of the mmol’s of sugar per liter of your blood. Generally, depending on the time of day and when you last ate, this can vary between 5.0-10mmol/L.

But what is a normal blood sugar level in Canada? Here is a handy blood sugar level chart based on the guidelines by Diabetes Canada:

Non-diabetic Ranges

After eating : 5.0-10.0mmol/L

Bedtime: 5.0-7.0mmol/L

Most diabetic adults: 4.0-7.0mmol/L fasted state, 5.0-10mmol/L after eating

Diabetics who are pregnant: < 5.3mmol/L fasted state, < 6.7mmol/L after eating

Gestational diabetics: < 5.3mmol/L fasted state, < 6.7mmol/L after eating

Children with diabetes: 4.0-8.0mmol/L fasted state, 5.0-10.0mmol/L after eating

The wide ranges in each group allow for individual differences. For example, we know that sugar regulation deteriorates with age and in pregnancy. So, if you are elderly you may find that you are on the higher end of each range.

However, each person is different and if you think your blood sugar is not in a normal range, it is important to seek medical advice.

Hyperglycemia And Hypoglycemia In Type 2 Diabetes

If someone has diabetes that isnt treated properly, they have too much sugar in their blood . Too little sugar in the bloodstream is usually a side effect of treatment with blood-sugar-lowering medication.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which there’s a problem with insulin . It can affect your health in many ways. In type 2 diabetes, not enough insulin is released into the bloodstream, or the insulin cant be used properly. In type 1 diabetes, the body only produces very little insulin, or none at all.

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Causes And Risk Factors

Babies get glucose from their mothers through the placenta before they are born. After birth, their sources of glucose are breast milk and formula. Glucose is also produced in the liver. Blood sugar may drop when there is too much insulin , if the baby is not producing enough or using too much or if the baby is unable to feed.

Some newborns have certain risk factors that make it easier for them to develop neonatal hypoglycemia. These may include:

• Being born too early

• Tremors or seizures

If your newborn is experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to the nurses and healthcare providers about blood tests. Even if the newborn does not have symptoms and you know there are risk factors, it’s still best to discuss these with your healthcare provider.

How To Help Others Help You

Knowing the signs of low blood sugar, having an action plan, and being prepared with your glucose meter and glucose tablets are vital, but sometimes you might need to rely on other people to help when youre blood sugar drops too low. Take these additional steps so youre prepared and they are, too:

Teach your loved ones. If youre unable to help yourself, friends, family, or colleagues may need to treat you with an injection of glucagon, a hormone that tells your liver to release stored glucose, the American Diabetes Association says. For this reason, its a good idea to teach those close to you what to do. If they dont know how to give you the injection or if glucagon isnt available, they must call 911 and get you the help you need, Evans says. Low blood sugar thats sustained for a prolonged time can lead to irreversible brain damage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Wear an ID bracelet. Evan suggests that everyone with diabetes should get a tattoo or wear a medical ID bracelet. The bracelet should say diabetes and whether youre on insulin or take other medications, the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston recommends.

Talk to your doctor about your low blood sugar risk. If you have frequent bouts of hypoglycemia, be sure to talk with your doctor. The solution may be as simple as changing how much or the kind of diabetes medicine you take. However, never make any changes to your medication regimen without your doctors approval.

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Your Hypoglycemia Action Plan

If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, its important to take action. Start with these steps:

Test your blood sugar. If you recognize any of these symptoms and believe your blood sugar may be too low, the first step you should take is to test your blood sugar with your glucose meter, Tan says. Anything less than 70 milligrams per deciliter is considered low blood sugar, according to the National Library of Medicine . However, target levels are often individualized, so talk with your healthcare provider about your optimal numbers, Tan adds.

Eat or drink fast-acting carbs. If you have low blood sugar, you need to take action right away. Your best bet is to consume about 15 grams of carbohydrates, the NLM says. Some options include:

• ½ cup or 4 ounces of orange juice
• ½ cup or 4 ounces of regular soda
• 1 tablespoon of sugar dissolved in water
• 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup
• 5 or 6 hard candies, jelly beans, or gumdrops
• 1 tablespoon of cake frosting
• 2 tablespoons of raisins
• ½ cup of applesauce

You can also take three to four glucose tablets or a tube of glucose gel. Everyone who takes medications for diabetes should always have glucose tablets with them, Galindo urges.

Wait, then retest. The next step is to wait 15 minutes, then test your blood sugar again. If blood sugar has reached 100 mg/dl or greater, youre fine. If not…

What Are Clinical Trials For Low Blood Glucose

Clinical trialsand other types of clinical studiesare part of medical research and involve people like you. When you volunteer to take part in a clinical study, you help doctors and researchers learn more about disease and improve health care for people in the future.

Researchers are studying many aspects of low blood glucose levels in diabetes, such as

• how to diagnose and treat low blood glucose among people with diabetes
• medicines that can treat symptoms of low blood glucose in people with hypoglycemia unawareness
• educational approaches to reduce fear of low blood glucose, which can make it harder for you to control your diabetes

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Physical Activity And Exercise

• Strenuous physical activity which is not customary for a person can cause a significant drop in the blood sugar levels, especially if there is inadequate food intake during this period.
• Exercise which is not a usual practice or unexpectedly excessive may also cause low blood sugar levels.
• In a person who is accustomed to excessive physical activity and strenuous exercise, the blood sugar levels may not drop to low levels as quickly as in an unfit person. The use of sports drinks may also help to prevent hypoglycemia.

The Best Healthcare Options To Prevent Diabetes

Health care is expensive. Canada spent an estimated $253.5 billion in 2018, and as the cost of health care increases, so does the cost to you. Pre-existing medical conditions, family history, and BMI are all factors that increase the cost of health care. These factors also increase your risk of diabetes, so you must be covered.

Of course, as a Canadian, you are entitled to some free and subsidized health care, which is great. But many people opt for private healthcare and for diabetes prevention this can be very useful. If you’re shopping around for private healthcare, it’s important to choose the right package.

Basic health insurance will usually cover health care, medical services, and prescriptions, but they tend to lack customizations. If you opt for a premium/guaranteed health insurance you have the bonus of a custom plan based on your needs if you are worried about your risk of diabetes this is like gold dust.

Private healthcare plans can cover the cost of many expenses related to diabetes such as blood tests, blood sugar monitors, specialist referrals, hospital stays, and much more! The most important thing to note about private health care is that it covers costs for preventative care, not just treatment for diseases.

There are many different options available, so make sure you search for the best quotes.

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Is 54 A Dangerous Blood Sugar Level

You can get a condition called hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia A condition resulting when the blood glucose levels drop below the specified limits . when your blood glucose level falls below 70 mg/dL. It can harm you and make you feel shaky, weak, hungry, or dizzy. But some people dont have any symptoms. If your blood sugar gets lower than 54 mg/dL, its dangerous and you need treatment right away.

Low Blood Sugar Avoid The Emergency Room

How to recognize and treat severe hypoglycemia quickly with emergency glucagon and avoid a trip to the hospital.

When you have diabetes, life can often feel like a juggling act to keep your glucose levels within your target range. Staying on top of your diabetes management is essential, but you may still face unpredictable and sudden swings in glucose levels due to medications, lifestyle , or illness. Hypoglycemia is when glucose values fall below 70 mg/dl as a result of too much insulin in the body for what your body needs at that time. When this occurs, your cells lack the glucose they need to produce energy.

There are three levels of hypoglycemia: level 1, glucose values fall below 70 mg/dL level 2, glucose levels drop below 54 mg/dL and level 3, referred to as severe hypoglycemia, which occurs when glucose levels are so low that you experience changes in thinking and reasoning and need support from others.

You should always treat lows right away, whether your blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL or trending toward that number. If your glucose levels drop below 54 mg/dl, you must act immediately to raise your blood sugar. If not treated quickly, severe hypoglycemia can occur and this can be very dangerous.

What are the signs of dangerously low blood sugar?

For a list of common symptoms of low blood sugar, click here.

How to treat severe lows with emergency glucagon

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What Is Low Blood Glucose

Low blood glucose, also called low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, occurs when the level of glucose in your blood drops below what is healthy for you. For many people with diabetes, this means a blood glucose reading lower than 70 milligrams per deciliter .1 Your number might be different, so check with your doctor or health care team to find out what blood glucose level is low for you.

What Should You Do In An Emergency

If mild or moderate hypoglycemia isn’t treated right away, it can turn into severe hypoglycemia. People with severe hypoglycemia usually pass out. If you pass out, someone should 911 right away.

If you have a health problem that tends to cause low blood sugar, it’s a good idea to teach your family, friends, and coworkers about what symptoms to watch for and what to do. You may also want to wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace.

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Can A Continuous Glucose Monitor Help With Low Blood Sugar

A continuous glucose monitor measures the bodys glucose levels in real-time by sensing the glucose present in tissue fluid . A CGM typically provides your glucose level every five minutes, which can be really helpful for tracking and finding patterns in how your glucose changes throughout the day. With CGM you can see how much time you spend in your target glucose range each day , notice trends, and develop strategies to improve your diabetes management.

CGMs can sound alerts when glucose levels drop below a certain threshold or are predicted to do so soon. This can be especially helpful for people who experience hypoglycemia unawareness, nighttime low blood sugar, or frequent hypoglycemic events. CGMs also allow you to share your glucose readings with your loved ones and care-partners in real time, so that they can let you know or help you out if your blood sugar starts to drop.

If you are interested in trying CGM, ask your healthcare team if the technology is available to you. You can also try ten-days of CGM for free.

What Can I Do To Protect Myself

One of the best ways to avoid hypoglycemia unawareness is to reduce the time spent with low glucose levels. The following may be helpful:

1. More frequent blood glucose measurement

2. Continuous glucose monitoring

A number of clinical trials have shown that seeing your glucose levels in real-time may help prevent hypoglycemia. While fingersticks give a snapshot at a single point in time, CGM provides a glucose value every five minutes as well as trend information and optional alarms, alerting users of lows when they start or even before they happen. Continuous glucose sensors that are currently available include: Abbotts FreeStyle Libre Dexcoms G5 Medtronics Guardian Sensor 3, Enlite, and Guardian Connect and Senseonicss Eversense .

3. Work with your healthcare provider to fine-tune your insulin regimen

FDA-cleared apps like iSage Rx and My Dose Coach may also be helpful for people with type 2 diabetes who would like more frequent guidance for dosing basal insulin.

If possible, switch to an insulin analog or next-gen insulin especially one of the newest long-acting insulin analogs like Toujeo or Tresiba.

Access can be challenging work with your healthcare provider, and see our various strategies to gain coverage in the US through our access series.

For people with type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy, taking a GLP-1 agonist may reduce the need for boluses , which may reduce hypoglycemia. GLP-1 drugs include Victoza, Ozempic, Trulicity, and Bydureon.

Appendix

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How Can I Prevent Low Blood Sugar In The Morning

If you have diabetes, make sure you regularly check your glucose levels, especially before bed. If your blood sugar regularly dips while you sleep, consider using a continuous glucose monitoring device, which alerts you when your blood sugar goes too low or too high. Try to follow these guidelines for healthy glucose levels:

• before breakfast: 70130 mg/dL
• before lunch, dinner, or a snack: 70130 mg/dL
• two hours after meals: under 180 mg/dL
• bedtime: 90150 mg/dL

If you dont have diabetes but experience regular hypoglycemia, you may also want to periodically check your glucose levels. Try to keep your glucose level from dropping below 100 mg/dL throughout the day and before bed.

Whether or not you have diabetes, follow these tips to avoid waking up with low blood sugar:

• Eat balanced meals with healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats regularly throughout the day.
• Have a bedtime snack.
• If you drink alcohol, avoid excessive intake and have a snack with it.
• Avoid exercising too much at night.

For a bedtime snack, try these suggestions:

• 1 apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• 1 ounce of cheese and a small handful of whole-grain crackers
• one 8-ounce glass of milk
• 1/2 avocado spread on a piece of whole-grain toast
• handful of berries with a small handful of nuts and seeds

What To Do If Your Blood Sugar Is Too Low

You’ll need to test your blood sugar if you think you have hypoglycemia.

Although type 2 diabetes is characterized by blood sugar that is too high, some people take insulin and others medications that can occasionally drive blood sugar too low.

When blood sugar is too lowgenerally less than 70 mg/dLit’s called hypoglycemia, and it can become a medical emergency.

You can lose consciousnessHypoglycemia is more likely to occur when you start taking a new medication or if you exercise more than usual.

As blood sugar drops to low levels, you may feel:

Shaky Irritable Sweaty

This can occur within 10 to 15 minutes, and in extreme cases you can even lose consciousness and experience seizures if you don’t consume some glucose .

You’ll need to test your blood sugar to confirm that you’re having hypoglycemiasome people become irritable if blood sugar is too high, so it’s not always obvious.

If you drink sugar-containing juice, or some other form of carbohydrate, it should bring blood sugar back into the normal range. You can also purchase glucose pills or gels in the pharmacy that can get blood sugar back on track.

You should always have a glucose source in the car, says Yvonne Thigpen, RD, diabetes program coordinator at Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center in Mt. Clemens, Mich. You never know when youll hit construction or get stuck in traffic, she says.

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What Are The Symptoms

Symptoms can be different depending on how low your blood sugar level drops.

• Mild hypoglycemia can make you feel hungry or like you want to vomit. You could also feel jittery or nervous. Your heart may beat fast. You may sweat. Or your skin might turn cold and clammy.
• Moderate hypoglycemia often makes people feel short-tempered, nervous, afraid, or confused. Your vision may blur. You could also feel unsteady or have trouble walking.
• Severe hypoglycemia can cause you to pass out. You could have seizures. It could even cause a coma or death.

If you’ve had hypoglycemia during the night, you may wake up tired or with a headache. And you may have nightmares. Or you may sweat so much during the night that your pajamas or sheets are damp when you wake up.