- If you know you have symptoms of nighttime hypoglycemia, be prepared. Keep by your bed so you can take care of yourself right away without having to get out of bed. Dextrose sugar is absorbed the quickest and is in these products. Make sure they are unwrapped and easy to access when you have hypoglycemia. If you are feeling dizzy or lightheaded, it could be risky to get up and walk around. Having something to help you get past that moment helps ensure your safety. Keep a phone near the bedside if you need immediate medical assistance.
- If your blood sugar plummets regularly at night talk to your health care provider about changing your diabetes self-management plan. You doctor might recommend testing your blood sugar around 2:00 A.M. for a few nights to see whether you have low blood sugar. A continuous glucose monitoring device (CGM) can also be used to check your levels if your blood sugar gets too low or too high. Nighttime hypoglycemia can have a negative impact on your ability to get proper sleep. This can lead to sleep deprivation and other related health issues, including heart problems and weight gain.
Nighttime hypoglycemia occurs more often than most people think. Test your blood sugar, eat regular meals and snacks and avoid alcohol or exercise before bed. Discuss ongoing low blood sugar levels with your doctor to make the necessary changes for a good night’s sleep.
