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Clinical Diabetes Program

Educational Videos

Here you can find BMC-produced educational videos supporting diabetes patients.

Boston Medical Center’s Diabetes Education program aims to help you enhance your diabetes-related knowledge and skills, so that you can take good care of yourself, improve your general health, and reduce your risk of complications from diabetes. These BMC-produced educational videos can help support you in managing your diabetes.

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Basics

The following videos were produced by the BMC Diabetes Education team as supplements to their class on using a Continuous Glucose Monitor. Please contact Diabetes Education for information about their classes.

Continuous Glucose Monitor Basics (English)

Continuous Glucose Monitor Basics (Español)

Continuous Glucose Monitor Basics (Kreyòl Ayisyen)

How to Use GLP-1 Injection Pens

The following instructional videos were produced by Sykom in collaboration with Boston Medical Center.

How to Use a Mounjaro Pen

How to Use an Ozempic Pen

How to Use a Trulicity Pen

How to Use a Victoza Pen

Managing Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia means “low blood sugar.” This means that your blood sugar has dropped below 70 mg/dL. There are different levels of hypoglycemia and different ways to treat it.

You can learn more about managing your blood sugar levels at the Diabetes Resource Center.

Managing Hypoglycemia (English)

Managing Hypoglycemia (Español)

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

People experiencing hypoglycemia might feel shaky, sweaty, hungry, irritable, or nervous. Additionally, some people might experience headaches, weakness, trouble concentrating, or a fast/irregular heartbeat.

You may be able to tell if your blood sugar is low if you experience symptoms. However, our bodies don’t always send us consistent messages. The only way to truly know if you have a low blood sugar is to check your blood using an FDA-approved glucose meter.

Testing for and Treating Hypoglycemia

If you test using a glucose meter and and your blood sugar is between 59 and 70, ingesting 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates can bring your blood sugar back to normal.

If it is less than 59, you may need more than 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Fast-acting carbohydrates include regular soda, candies, glucose tabs or gel, skim milk, or some juices. Do not eat chocolate or candies with nuts, as the fat from these foods will prevent your blood sugar from rising as quickly. Although it is tempting to eat as much as you can when your blood sugar is low, try to avoid doing so. Start with 15 grams of carbohydrates, then in 15 minutes, check your blood sugar. If it is still lower than 70, treat again (eat another round of fast-acting carbohydrates).

Once your blood sugar is normal, eat a small snack to prevent another low.

Hypoglycemia while Unconscious or Unstable

If a family member or friend who uses insulin is unconscious, jerking/spasming, or unable to swallow, they should receive glucagon, even if you’re not sure the cause is low glucose.

Food and sugary drinks should not be given to someone who is unconscious or unable to swallow safely!

Whereas insulin decreases sugar in the blood when levels are too high, glucagon works the opposite way. It can increase sugar levels in the blood when they are too low. Therefore, glucagon can be used to treat severe hypoglycemia. It is available in either injectable or nasal spray form.

Your healthcare provider can prescribe glucagon to keep on-hand for emergencies. It’s important to teach people in your life (loved ones, coaches, teachers, or other support system) how to use it.

Additional Resources

Insulin Use & Safety

Insulin is a hormone that is made in a working pancreas, a gland located in the abdomen. Insulin ensures the food that you eat is able to enter your body’s cells to provide nourishment. When insulin is working as it should it will keep your blood sugar at a safe, healthy range and prevent your blood sugar from going too high.

You can learn more about insulin at the Diabetes Resource Center.

Using Insulin Safely

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Injecting Insulin with a Pen Needle

Injecting Insulin with a Syringe

Nutrition and Exercise

Please visit the Diabetes Resource Center to learn more about healthy eating and mindful exercise when you have diabetes.

The Plate Method for Diabetes

The “plate method” is a simple guide for planning meals. The result is flavorful meals that are healthy, energy boosting, and satisfying. At BMC, we encourage using this method as a way to eat more healthy food and fewer unhealthy foods without sacrificing tradition and taste. Focus on fiber, keep your plate colorful, and drink water.

The plate method helps patients portion out starchy, carbohydrate-containing foods that have the biggest impact on blood glucose levels, and acts as a reminder to eat a variety of food groups, like fruits, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, proteins, dairy, and healthy fats.

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How to Count Carbohydrates

“Carb counting” can be helpful in managing blood glucose levels. It is not a diet, but rather a flexible meal planning tool. It’s important to make healthy carb choices that contain fiber, and choose foods like beans, whole grains, and whole fruits.

How to Read Nutrition Labels

They say “you are what you eat,” so what are you made of? Making healthy food choices helps keep your body fit and strong, so learning how to read nutrition labels is the first step to making sure your body gets the proper nourishment.

The nutrition label is typically located on the back or side of most food products. However, some foods, like fresh fruits, vegetables, animal proteins, and alcohol are not required to have nutrition labels.

Exercise

When you are managing your diabetes, it is important to consider adding regular moderate physical activity to your routine. Moderate physical activity can lower your blood sugar levels for 24 hours or longer after your activity is complete. Consistent physical activity can improve your A1C and minimize the long-term consequences of diabetes.

Explore the Program

Diabetes information found on these pages should not replace education or instruction from your healthcare provider or certified diabetes educator. We encourage all patients to personalize their diabetes management in collaboration with their healthcare team.