While diabetics are primarily concerned with the higher than normal blood sugar levels that characterize their disease, most diabetics are also aware of the condition of low blood sugar levels, sometimes called hypoglycemic events. An episode of lower than normal blood sugar levels is something that any individual diabetic can experience, especially if they have gone for too long a period of time without having eaten foods that provide a source of glucose, foods such as carbohydrates. Another reason that can sometimes cause a significant lowering of blood glucose levels is when a diabetic has performed a strenuous bout of exercise, a situation that requires the uptake of additional glucose from the bloodstream.
Whatever the cause, it can develop to a more serious condition and should be treated right away as soon as it is detected. The solution is fairly simple, it is necessary to immediately consume some food items that provide a quick source of glucose, typically that can be a small glass of apple juice, or other juice, or a cup of milk, or by eating several hard candies or glucose tablets, chewed to break them down for faster absorption. The diabetic, knowing of the possibilities of a lower than normal blood sugar event, should be prepared with a suitable snack readily at hand – whether at home or away from home. Such an episode should not happen very often but it does happen and being prepared makes sense.
Typical symptoms include a growing feeling of light-headedness, trembling – often noticeable in the hands, beginning to sweat, a feeling of nausea, anxiety, nervousness, a faster heart-beat, blurred vision, confusion, hunger, or headache, listlessness. If a blood test were taken with a glucose meter at this time, the expectation would be that the reading would be less than 72 mg/dL (4.0 mmol/L).
But different people respond differently. They and their spouses, parents, partners or companions, should be prepared to recognize the individual’s symptoms and take action. It might even be better if an identification bracelet was worn with instructions just in case an extreme situation were to develop when there is no other informed person to turn to. All medics know what to do and will quickly administer glucose to stabilize the unfortunate diabetic if they should fall into a coma, a dangerous condition but it can happen.
In the more usual situations, when the symptoms begin to appear, it is time for a glucose boost. Something must be done immediately, if the diabetic person has a blood glucose device handy, a blood glucose test can be made to confirm the situation but an impending low blood sugar needs a prompt response – get some food item to supply the needed glucose, it won’t get better, delay will create more complications because the brain needs a constant uninterrupted supply of glucose.
Once the low blood glucose condition has been brought under control through the consumption of appropriate food items, it takes time to fully recover from the effect, perhaps even, depending on its severity, it may take a few hours to get back to normal. And keep in mind the time when it is next necessary to have a snack or a meal to maintain normal blood conditions.
Hypoglycemic events can also occur during sleep and might be indicated as happening by clothing or sheets that become damp from perspiration and an awakening with a sense that something is not right, perhaps a sense of confusion or irritability or an unsteadiness in walking after rising from bed. Perhaps too, crying out in a disturbed fashion or nightmares might be an indicator.
The type of low blood glucose episode described above should not be a frequent event, if it does become frequent it should be brought to the attention of a doctor. It would seem to require a more serious medical approach and a complete review of how the diabetic condition is currently being managed. In any event, all cases of diabetes must be under the care of a doctor of medicine.
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