Diabetes Emergencies: Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia Care, Chapter 4: Lows at Night
Setting Up Night Safety at Home
Simple setup steps that help you and your household respond to a possible low during sleep.
List practical steps to prepare for a possible low during sleep.
A low can happen while you sleep. You may not wake up in time.
Keep your meter on your bedside table. Then you can check your blood sugar without getting up. Keep a fast sugar source there too, like juice. Juice raises blood sugar quickly.
Keep both in the same spot, so you can find them in the dark.
Sleep can hide your warning signs, so people you live with may notice first. Tell them your night signs, like sweating or restless sleep. Show them your plan and where your kit is kept.
If someone cannot wake up or swallow safely, put nothing in their mouth. Give glucagon, a medicine that raises blood sugar fast, and call 911.
A bedtime check shows your blood sugar as you go to sleep. Ask your care team what time to check before bed.
Think of it like checking the fuel gauge before a long drive. Once you are asleep, warning signs are harder to notice.
Key takeaways
- Keep your meter and fast sugar within reach of your bed.
- Tell the people in your home your night signs, your plan and where your kit is kept.
- Do your bedtime check at the times your doctor recommends.
Try it
Tonight, set your meter and fast sugar within reach of your bed.