What should I do in case of a hypoglycemic episode? (Low Blood Sugars)
Hello everyone! I hope you have been learning a lot about what diabetes is and how one can control the disease while still having positive energy. Every blog post that I have written thus far can offer you knowledge from someone who has been living with diabetes for 13 years now. In order to continue writing some informative posts, I think it is extremely important to bring attention to possible low blood glucose levels, their symptoms, and what one should do in case of an emergency.
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes must have control of their diabetes all day, every day - there is no break. Diabetics can suffer low blood sugars that can leave lasting consequences if they are severe or left unhandled. These can even lead to death. Therefore, a smooth and regular control of blood sugar levels can tremendously help a diabetic to live a more controlled and standard way of life. That being said, I think it is very important for you to understand what to do in case you suffer a low blood glucose level (while still being conscious) OR you see someone with any of these symptoms in public who may be suffering from a low blood sugar without realizing. I will also be sharing some of the experiences I have had with low blood sugars while being diabetic to inform others of what it may feel like from a diabetic’s point of view. It is something hard to talk about, but it will definitely help you to better understand what diabetics go through when this happens. To begin, ANYONE can suffer a low blood sugar level, not only diabetics - even though non-diabetic low blood sugars tend to not be lower than 70 mg/dl OR 4.0 mmol/L. However, individuals are capable of still experiencing some of the same symptoms that diabetics do when they have lower levels than required. These non-diabetic low blood glucoses, also known as non-diabetic hypoglycemia, are mainly due to either reactive hypoglycemia - “Having pre-diabetes or being at risk for diabetes, which can lead to trouble making the right amount of insulin” - OR - fasting hypoglycemia - occurs when the stomach is empty. For any more information on non-diabetic hypoglycemia, please visit:
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Both of these images depict the symptoms I experience with high and low blood glucose levels
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On the other hand, low blood sugars are a lot more common for diabetics to experience. The diagram below explains a common cycle that most diabetics undergo on a daily basis.
Once an individual eats, their blood sugar levels rise - something that requires insulin. Since us, diabetics, do not have insulin in our bodies (especially type 1 diabetics), we have to take medicine/insulin to lower our glucose levels. To do so, each diabetic has a different carbohydrate to insulin ratio when calculating. For example, every time I eat I have to count the carbohydrates: for every 10 grams of carbohydrate I eat, I take 1 IU (unit) of insulin (0.01mL of insulin). It is definitely not the same ratio for everyone, so therefore, we all have to be careful calculating what we eat. Once we do our carb counts, we take our required medicine in hopes of lowering our blood sugar levels, as we have just eaten and our blood sugars will rise (carbohydrates turn into sugars in the body). When our sugar levels drop, we require more sugar, and therefore feel a desperate sense of hunger and eat. This rises our blood sugar and the cycle continues...
Hypoglycemic (Low Blood Sugar) Symptoms:
Symptoms for low blood glucoses have already been discussed in post #2, however, I am just going to briefly go over them again.
When it comes to every person, the symptoms may definitely differ. For example, when facing a low blood glucose, I recognize the symptoms MOST of the time (but not always). When I have a hypo, it becomes difficult to concentrate, I have racing thoughts, I start shaking, sweating and I definitely become more emotional, I immediately start crying...
From a type 1 diabetic's point of view, when one is suffering a low blood sugar, we do not always realize what is happening, as some hypos occur in a short period of time and are, therefore, very fast when happening. This may leave us unconscious and needing help. When severe, lows can also cause seizures, fainting, comas, and even death. IMMEDIATE TREATMENT IS CRITICAL. How do I recognize a hypo? It is difficult to exactly explain HOW you could possibly recognize someone having a low because I have experienced these more than I have witnessed them and everyone reacts differently to them. The symptoms seem regular for me to see, as I have experienced them myself. One thing that I can definitely say is that when witnessing hypos, the person experiencing it may seem "out of it" or even drunk. Yes, drunk. Many people confuse low blood sugars with drunkenness, which is scary to think, as most people will not want to get close to you!
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However, if you realize that someone around you has any of the previously mentioned symptoms and is just not acting "right", it is better to tell them that you are aware of their actions. If conscious, ask them if they are diabetic. If so, they may be suffering a low. However, if the person is unconscious or not "making sense", it is preferable to call 911 IMMEDIATELY.
If the person is UNCONSCIOUS:
- Call 911 as soon as possible.
- Make sure the person does NOT fall asleep. Keep them awake!
- Lay person down TO THE SIDE
- DO NOT FEED INDIVIDUAL (chocking may occur)
- If you know the person well (family or friend), you may want to give them a shot of glucagon. This is a medicine that raises blood glucose levels in case of emergencies.
If the person is UNCONSCIOUS:
- Call 911 as soon as possible.
- Make sure the person does NOT fall asleep. Keep them awake!
- Lay person down TO THE SIDE
- DO NOT FEED INDIVIDUAL (chocking may occur)
- If you know the person well (family or friend), you may want to give them a shot of glucagon. This is a medicine that raises blood glucose levels in case of emergencies.
The image depicts what a glucagon emergency set looks like
If the person is still CONSCIOUS, the individual must consume ANY of the following:
- Any fruit juice that has natural sugars (apple, orange, mango, pineapple, etc.)
- Food with carbohydrates (carbs convert into sugars when being digested)
- Glucose tablets (each tablet tends to have 4 grams of carbs - consume/give according to BG level)
- Continue checking blood glucose every 20 minutes. If the person continues having a hypo after consuming any of the previously stated forms of sugar, give them more juice, food, OR glucose tablets (not all, as this may cause the BG to bounce VERY high later on). Repeat checking blood glucose until it is in the normal range.
- Any fruit juice that has natural sugars (apple, orange, mango, pineapple, etc.)
- Food with carbohydrates (carbs convert into sugars when being digested)
- Glucose tablets (each tablet tends to have 4 grams of carbs - consume/give according to BG level)
- Continue checking blood glucose every 20 minutes. If the person continues having a hypo after consuming any of the previously stated forms of sugar, give them more juice, food, OR glucose tablets (not all, as this may cause the BG to bounce VERY high later on). Repeat checking blood glucose until it is in the normal range.
For any more information, please visit any of these sites:
My experiences with low blood glucose levels...
To be honest, I absolutely hate speaking about this topic. It really gives me anxiety. However, it is so important for people to also understand how most diabetics feel after suffering a low. You are NOT alone.
I have experienced multiple low blood sugars, some worse than others. I have had seizures, fainted, shaked, etc. It is the scariest feeling. As I have had diabetes for 13 years, I have developed hypoglycemia unawareness (only a few times). I hate admitting it makes me feel embarrassed, after all, I should know how to "perfectly control my blood glucose levels"... WRONG. I mean, I have been diabetic for a very long time, so why can't I recognize ALL lows? That being said, I have a very good control and can DEFINITELY recognize MOST, as this does not happen often.
I have needed help from individuals (co-workers, friends, and family) at certain times in the past when experiencing a hypo. It has been very hard on me, as I feel very embarrassed. As I previously mentioned, I get VERY emotional when I have lows, and this just makes me even more nervous and embarrassed. When I am experiencing this, I just ask for immediate help before things get worse. However, it leaves me with a sense of guilt and embarrassment... WHY did I just have a low? WHY was I not able to control it myself?... WHY... WHY... WHY...
These thoughts have always been on my mind, why me? But let me tell you... I CAN control my diabetes. I have diabetes. Diabetes does not have me. Therefore, when I suffer hypoglycemias, I now begin thinking that this is just a part of who I am. It has taken me quite a few years for me to understand that i should never feel ashamed for experiencing this. All I can truly do is pay attention to the amount I eat, the carb counting, and the insulin amount that I take in each meal. After all, I am still a regular, normal human being.
For all of you who are diabetic and are currently reading this, let me tell you, you are definitely not alone. I am sure that most diabetics feel the same way, and I have learned that we all belong to a community that has similar experiences. After all, we are still ALL just as important!
I have experienced multiple low blood sugars, some worse than others. I have had seizures, fainted, shaked, etc. It is the scariest feeling. As I have had diabetes for 13 years, I have developed hypoglycemia unawareness (only a few times). I hate admitting it makes me feel embarrassed, after all, I should know how to "perfectly control my blood glucose levels"... WRONG. I mean, I have been diabetic for a very long time, so why can't I recognize ALL lows? That being said, I have a very good control and can DEFINITELY recognize MOST, as this does not happen often.
I have needed help from individuals (co-workers, friends, and family) at certain times in the past when experiencing a hypo. It has been very hard on me, as I feel very embarrassed. As I previously mentioned, I get VERY emotional when I have lows, and this just makes me even more nervous and embarrassed. When I am experiencing this, I just ask for immediate help before things get worse. However, it leaves me with a sense of guilt and embarrassment... WHY did I just have a low? WHY was I not able to control it myself?... WHY... WHY... WHY...
These thoughts have always been on my mind, why me? But let me tell you... I CAN control my diabetes. I have diabetes. Diabetes does not have me. Therefore, when I suffer hypoglycemias, I now begin thinking that this is just a part of who I am. It has taken me quite a few years for me to understand that i should never feel ashamed for experiencing this. All I can truly do is pay attention to the amount I eat, the carb counting, and the insulin amount that I take in each meal. After all, I am still a regular, normal human being.
For all of you who are diabetic and are currently reading this, let me tell you, you are definitely not alone. I am sure that most diabetics feel the same way, and I have learned that we all belong to a community that has similar experiences. After all, we are still ALL just as important!