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Medical Author:

Robert Ferry Jr., MD

Robert Ferry Jr., MD

Robert Ferry Jr., MD, is a U.S. board-certified Pediatric Endocrinologist. After taking his baccalaureate degree from Yale College, receiving his doctoral degree and residency training in pediatrics at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), he completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Prevention

Hypoglycemia prevention is done best through proper use of diabetic medications and proper nutrition and mealtimes.

• Carefully choose the right size of syringe for the insulin injection.
  
  
• Never consume more than the prescribed dose of medications (oral hypoglycemic agents). For example, if the patient's blood sugar level is high, do not take two pills if only one pill was prescribed. Such doubling or similarly excessive use of medication can cause serious hypoglycemia.
  
  
• Eat on time and never miss meals.
  
  
• Keep track of what is eaten in relation to how much exercise the person gets. If the person has diabetes have diabetes, vigorous exercise without reasonable food intake can cause hypoglycemia. However, do not avoid exercise simply due to the potential risk of hypoglycemia. The benefits of exercise far outweigh the small risk of serious hypoglycemia.
  
  
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol.
  
  
• Be sure to eat adequate amounts of food.