Lesson #3

In addition to keeping snacks handy, there are a few important steps you can take to stay safe.

Prevention: You can prevent most low blood sugar reactions by eating your meals on time, taking your diabetes medicine and testing your blood. Testing your blood sugar regularly will show you if your level is too low, and give you the warning that it's time to eat some fruit, crackers, or other snack, to raise your blood sugar level.

Identification: Carry medical identification (a tag or card) that says you have diabetes and lists the medicines you take. It should also give the name and telephone number of your doctor.

Spread the word: Tell your family, friends, teachers, or other people you see often about the signs of low blood sugar. Explain how to treat it. It may be awkward or embarrassing, but, more importantly, you may need their help some day.

If you use insulin and you have a low blood sugar reaction, tell your doctor. Tell your doctor if:

• you have low blood sugar reactions often
• they happen at the same time of day or night
• you have passed out from low blood sugar
• you ever needed someone's help

If you DON'T USE insulin and you have a low blood sugar reaction, tell your doctor. Tell your doctor about other medicines you may be taking.

If you take diabetes pills and have a low blood sugar reactions, your doctor may need to make a change in your medicine or eating plan.

Okay, now that you've gotten this far, don't you think it's time to check in and see how much you've learned?

Assignment #2

Let's retake that savvyHEALTH quiz.

Great job! You're on your way to lesson #4, but before you go, be sure to complete this lesson's assignments.

Assignment #3

Here's another way to practice what you've learned. Come meet Max and Jules and help Jules make the right choices throughout her day. Play our cool interactive game.

Assignment #4
If you don't have one already, it's time to go out and get yourself a medical alert bracelet. Check with your local pharmacist.

Put it on your shopping list, send your son to the store, or throw on your sneakers and go right now. Just make sure you don't wait!

If you already have a medical alert bracelet, good for you! You get to skip ahead to assignment #5

1. Get out a sheet of paper and write a list of five to ten people with whom you spend most of your time, during any given week.

2. Now, make a column next to it and put a check mark next to each of the people you've told about the signs of low blood sugar and how to treat it.

3. Do you have any blank spaces?

• If no, congratulations! You've taken the steps to help the people in your life to help you, should you need it.

• If yes, start working on it now! Go on to step 4.

4. Take out another sheet of paper, or better yet write on the back. Now, for each blank space, it's time to come up with a clever way to tell the people in your life what low blood sugar signs to look for, and how they can help.

Or how about send out a savvyHEALTH email postcard?

If you came up with any answers you'd like to share, post them to the message board and tell your classmates about it.

Click here.

See you there!!!!

Feel like getting ahead? To access other lessons, go to the class syllabus for current enrollees.

Or directly to Lesson #4

Looking for a study buddy or got a nagging question? Check in to the Diabetes 101 Message Board. Post a question and check back for a response. You can also read other students' questions. And who knows? Someone might have already asked — and answered— your question.

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