Rule 15 - 15 for Diabetics

Hypoglycemia happens when the blood sugar drops below a normal level. In mild cases, it often causes symptoms such as shakiness, confusion, and lightheadedness. Anybody can experience hypoglycemia, but it’s particularly common among people with diabetes who take insulin. Medical professionals often recommend treating mild low blood sugar by following the rule of 15, also known as the 15-15 rule. This rule states that you should consume 15 grams (g) of carbohydrates when your blood sugar drops under 70 mg/dL, and to check your blood sugar again after 15 minutes. If one's blood sugar is still low, the process can be repeated. Many medical professionals recommend following the 15-15 rule when the blood sugar is between 55 to 69 mg/dL.

Here’s how one can follow the rule of 15:

1.???Consume 15 g of simple carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets or orange juice.

2.???Wait 15 minutes and measure your blood sugar levels again.

3.???If your blood sugar is still between 55 to 69 mg/dL, consume another 15 g of carbohydrates.

4.???Keep repeating until your blood sugar is above 70 mg/dL.

It’s recommended to wait 15 minutes before remeasuring your blood sugar because 15 minutes is about the amount of time it takes for the sugar to reach your bloodstream. Young children often don’t need 15 g of carbohydrates. According to the American Diabetes Association - infants may only need 6 g; toddlers may only need 8 g and small children may only need 10 g. The rule of 15 shouldn’t be followed when the blood sugar is below 55 mg/dL.