Preventing Diabetic Hypoglycemia

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Family medicine practitioner Dr. Hanid Audish is committed to expanding treatment options for patients with chronic illnesses. As a principal investigator for Encompass Clinical Research, Dr. Hanid Audish coordinates clinical trials of promising treatments for diabetes and related conditions such as hypoglycemia.

While hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, can be caused by other conditions, it is particularly common in people with poorly controlled diabetes. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels dip below 70 milligrams per deciliter. It can cause headaches, shaking, and irritability.

If blood sugar and insulin levels aren’t regulated, hypoglycemia can become life-threatening. Since the most common cause of hypoglycemia is elevated insulin levels, people with diabetes who inject or take insulin orally are at higher risk.

Patients must work with their doctors to determine an ideal balance between insulin treatment, exercise, and diet. To prevent spikes in insulin, patients should keep a regular eating schedule and avoid skipping meals. Further, patients should consult their doctor to ascertain how often to check their blood sugar.