Hypoglycemia Awareness and Type 2 Diabetes
High blood sugar isn't the only thing people with diabetes need to watch out for, but low blood sugar, too. Boost your awareness about hypoglycemia here!
Hypoglycemia (blood sugar lower than 3.9 mmol/L70 mg/dL) doesn’t get discussed much in the type 2 community, and it’s understandable, right? Our primary concern is usually managing high blood sugar to prevent diabetes-related complications. However, hypoglycemia awareness in the type 2 community is essential to diabetes care, too.
Why Does Hypoglycemia Awareness in Type 2 Diabetes Matter?
It matters because while hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can result in health issues over a period of time, severe hypoglycemia can result in immediate loss of consciousness and cognitive impairment. In this case, one would need emergency assistance. Fortunately, there are glucagon options to quickly and safely treat severe hypoglycemia as long as they are used in time—they comes in several forms including the easy to use nasal spray Baqsimi, autoinjectors, prefilled syringes, or a powder that must be mixed with a liquid before injecting.
There are factors that increase the risk of hypoglycemia such as:
- Physical activity (without adjusting medication dosages and meal/snack times)
- Skipping meals
- Illness
- Alcohol consumption
- Use of glucose-lowering medication such as insulin and sulfonylureas
Knowing the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia can save your life or the life another with type 2 diabetes. Read the articles below to educate yourself and others with and without type 2 diabetes about hypoglycemia, how to treat it and how to prevent it.
This content was made possible with support from Baqsimi, a Founding Partner of Beyond Type 2.
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