Adrienne
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent
Hi all (thought I would just start new thread - hope that's ok)
There are so many questions about dealing with hypos I thought I would just start a thread (maybe a sticky perhaps ) on the best way to deal with a hypo.
I would like to point out however that everyone finds their own best way eventually but for those that don't know this is a starting point.
I would also like to say that I am not a medical professional, just a mum, so always check what your team say.
A hypo is any reading under 4.0 mmol
If it is below 2.6 mmol, this is a real emergency and you need to get levels up asap. If unconscious or unable to eat or drink (but conscious) you will need a glucagon injection. This is a one off shot and cannot be repeated until your liver has replenished itself.
15 rule
This is a simple way to remember how to deal with a hypo if on injections.
?HYPO?
If the blood glucose is less than 4 mmols/L, follow the ?15? rule
If blood glucose is less than 4 mmols do the following :
Give approx 15 grams of quick acting dextrose (e.g. 150 ml of non diet coke ? small party sized can, 100 ml lucozade, 1 1/2 tubes of glucogel, 4 x glucotabs)
*
Do not give any snack containing long acting carbohydrate
*
Repeat blood glucose test after 15 minutes
*
If blood glucose still below 4 mmols, give a further 15 grams of dextrose (as above)
*
Repeat blood glucose test after 15 minutes
*
If levels have now risen give approx 15 grams of carbs of long acting (ie slice of bread, 2 biscuits, Chewee snack bar)
If on a pump :
?HYPO?
If the blood glucose is less than 4 mmols/L, follow the ?15? rule
If unconscious give Glucagon injection. Do not attempt to give food, drink or Glucogel. Suspend or disconnect the pump.
If blood glucose is less than 4 mmols and you are alert, do not suspend the pump as the first line treatment but do the following :
*
Give approx 15 grams of quick acting dextrose (e.g. 150 ml of non diet coke ? small party sized can, 100 ml lucozade, 1 1/2 tubes of glucogel, 4 x glucotabs)
Do not give any snack containing long acting carbohydrate
*
Repeat blood glucose test after 15 minutes
*
If blood glucose still below 4 mmols, give a further 15 grams of dextrose (as above)
*
Repeat blood glucose test after 15 minutes
*
If still below 4 ?suspend? the pump or disconnect at the site
*
Wait until blood glucose level has risen above 4 mmols before reconnecting the pump.
Again you will find out through trial and error what works for you, ie juice, jelly babies etc and also how much coke or lucozade etc you do need for whatever level you are ok.
Hope this helps.
__________________
Adrienne - Mum to 9 yr old girl, pancreas removed at birth, type 1 at 5 weeks old, pumping
There are so many questions about dealing with hypos I thought I would just start a thread (maybe a sticky perhaps ) on the best way to deal with a hypo.
I would like to point out however that everyone finds their own best way eventually but for those that don't know this is a starting point.
I would also like to say that I am not a medical professional, just a mum, so always check what your team say.
A hypo is any reading under 4.0 mmol
If it is below 2.6 mmol, this is a real emergency and you need to get levels up asap. If unconscious or unable to eat or drink (but conscious) you will need a glucagon injection. This is a one off shot and cannot be repeated until your liver has replenished itself.
15 rule
This is a simple way to remember how to deal with a hypo if on injections.
?HYPO?
If the blood glucose is less than 4 mmols/L, follow the ?15? rule
If blood glucose is less than 4 mmols do the following :
Give approx 15 grams of quick acting dextrose (e.g. 150 ml of non diet coke ? small party sized can, 100 ml lucozade, 1 1/2 tubes of glucogel, 4 x glucotabs)
*
Do not give any snack containing long acting carbohydrate
*
Repeat blood glucose test after 15 minutes
*
If blood glucose still below 4 mmols, give a further 15 grams of dextrose (as above)
*
Repeat blood glucose test after 15 minutes
*
If levels have now risen give approx 15 grams of carbs of long acting (ie slice of bread, 2 biscuits, Chewee snack bar)
If on a pump :
?HYPO?
If the blood glucose is less than 4 mmols/L, follow the ?15? rule
If unconscious give Glucagon injection. Do not attempt to give food, drink or Glucogel. Suspend or disconnect the pump.
If blood glucose is less than 4 mmols and you are alert, do not suspend the pump as the first line treatment but do the following :
*
Give approx 15 grams of quick acting dextrose (e.g. 150 ml of non diet coke ? small party sized can, 100 ml lucozade, 1 1/2 tubes of glucogel, 4 x glucotabs)
Do not give any snack containing long acting carbohydrate
*
Repeat blood glucose test after 15 minutes
*
If blood glucose still below 4 mmols, give a further 15 grams of dextrose (as above)
*
Repeat blood glucose test after 15 minutes
*
If still below 4 ?suspend? the pump or disconnect at the site
*
Wait until blood glucose level has risen above 4 mmols before reconnecting the pump.
Again you will find out through trial and error what works for you, ie juice, jelly babies etc and also how much coke or lucozade etc you do need for whatever level you are ok.
Hope this helps.
__________________
Adrienne - Mum to 9 yr old girl, pancreas removed at birth, type 1 at 5 weeks old, pumping