Dealing with Hypos and Hypers in Diabetes
Blood glucose levels can go up or down during the day. The goal is to get them as stable as possible.
Dealing with Hypos:
Levels are generally low before meals, during or after exercise and in the middle of the night when there is a long time between meals. Higher glucose levels generally occur about two hours after meals and during stress. But everyone is different and diabetics should learn their patterns as completely as possible.
Low blood glucose is called hypoglycaemia, or ‘hypo’ for short. High blood glucose is called hyperglycaemia, or ‘hyper’ for short.
Symptoms of a hypo.
The symptoms of hypos appear quickly, over the period of a few minutes, and generally mean your blood glucose levels have slipped below 3.0mmol/L. This is easily checked on your blood glucose meter. Hypos usually happen only in people taking insulin.
Hypoglycaemia symptoms are:
- anxiousness or nervousness,
- palpitations or shakiness,
- hunger and disorientation progressing to confusion,
- mood change,
- belligerence and clumsiness.
Prolonged symptoms can cause damage to the brain and nerves.
Causes of hypos.
Causes of hypos include too much insulin, lack of carbohydrate intake, excessive alcohol or excessive physical activity.
What do I do when I have a hypo?
Diabetes groups advise diabetics with a hypo to first make sure they are in a safe place and to stop operating a car or machinery. Have some quick acting carbohydrates like half a can of soft drink or juice OR 3 teaspoons of sugar or honey OR 6 or 7 jelly beans. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes and repeat the dose of quick-acting carbohydrates if the levels don’t rise. Symptoms should ebb quickly; if not, make sure an ambulance is called.
Dealing with Hypers.
Hypers happen when the blood sugar levels are too high, sometimes higher than 15mmol/L. A hyper comes more gradually than a Hypo and can sometimes take days.
Causes of hypers.
Possible causes of a hyper may be not enough insulin, too much food, an illness or infection and stress.
Symptoms of a hyper.
Symptoms include :
- excessive thirst,
- passing large volumes of urine,
- dramatic weight loss,
- lack of energy over several days and progression to nausea and vomiting,
- abdominal pains,
- sweet smell on the breath,
- drowsiness and eventually unconsciousness in the worst case.
The symptoms can usually be alleviated with more than the usual dose of insulin. Diabetics should talk to their doctor about having some fast-acting insulin and drink plenty of water or other sugar-free fluid to compensate for the frequent urination. Seek medical treatment if the symptoms worsen.
