Youre Moody And Irritable
Some studies have linked sugars to mood disorders like depression. In addition to blood sugar swings, sugar can mess with the neurotransmitters in your brain that regulate your moods. Sugar, in particular, causes a spike in the feel-good hormone serotonin. Because we know carbs affect neurotransmitters, it only follows that when you upset your carb balance by having so many entering your body at an unnatural rate it might make you feel better at first. But what goes up comes down, and they may make you feel worse in the long run, says Ansel. Result: You feel cranky and tired.
Zeitlin says the best way to stabilize your blood sugar and mood is to eat more foods that take longer to digest, like whole grains, fiber, and protein.
How To Tell If Your Blood Sugar Is Low
Symptoms of hypoglycemia are different for everyone and can occur at different blood sugar levels.
Early-stage symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
- Increased heartbeat
- Confusion or irritability
Early symptoms may be subtle or hard to detect. Sometimes you may not experience any symptomsthis is known as hypoglycemia unawareness. People who have had diabetes for five to 10 years, who have low blood sugar often, or who take certain medications are more likely to have hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia unawareness is also common for people who have nocturnal hypoglycemialow blood sugar in the middle of the night that often goes undetected.
Young children and the elderly are also vulnerable to low blood sugar because of their reduced ability to recognize symptoms and communicate them.
Not knowing you have low blood sugar can delay treatment, causing your blood sugar levels to drop to more dangerous levels.
The symptoms of later stages of hypoglycemia are more serious and obvious:
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of consciousness
If you have diabetes and are using insulin or taking other medications that can cause your blood sugar to drop, you should have access to a blood glucose monitor. People with diabetes also use various forms of continuous glucose monitors to track their blood sugar. If you suspect you have low blood sugar based on symptoms or your CGM is alerting you that your levels are low, you can test with the blood glucose monitor to confirm.
What Are Symptoms Of Low Blood Sugar
Early symptoms of low blood sugar can include:
- Tingling or numbness in the lips, tongue or cheeks
Some people with diabetes do not have symptoms during the early stages of low blood sugar in what is called hypoglycemia unawareness. Because people with hypoglycemia unawareness do not have symptoms, they do not treat their low blood sugar early on, and they are more likely to have severe symptoms. Hypoglycemia unawareness often occurs in people who:
- Have had type 1 diabetes for more than 5 to 10 years
- Use insulin to control blood sugar levels
- Take medicines for high blood pressure or diabetes
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You’re Feeling Anxious And Irritable
This typically shows up as a result of changes in hormone levels within your body which the extra glucose in your body can cause.
Low serotonin levels are often responsible for feelings like this, so if you notice yourself becoming more emotional than usual, it could also mean something is wrong with your insulin balance even though it’s not always easy to tell what these changes will lead to at first because they happen gradually over time.
People who have diabetes tend to experience mood disorders such as depression and anxiety much more frequently than those who do not and other mental health issues, including memory loss and further cognitive declines.
What Else Can You Do To Control Blood Sugar Levels
People with diabetes should wear identification stating they have diabetes and whether they have recurrent low blood sugar. Those at risk for the health condition should be counseled on checking blood sugars before they drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or do anything physically taxing.
In addition, it is important to carry a quick-acting glucose source at all times, and keep a source in their car, office, and by their bedside. Efforts should be made to minimize the hypoglycemic effects of drug regimens and to avoid variable surges in exercise, activity, and drinking alcohol.
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When Is Blood Sugar Considered To Be Too High Or Too Low
Slight fluctuations in blood sugar levels are completely normal, and also happen every day in people who dont have diabetes, in response to the food they eat. Between around 60 and 140 milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood is considered to be healthy. This is equivalent to a blood sugar concentration of between 3.3 and 7.8 mmol/l. Millimoles per liter is the unit that blood sugar is measured in. It describes the amount of a certain substance per liter.
If someone has readings over 7.8 mmol/l , they are considered to have hyperglycemia. These high blood sugar levels mainly occur if there isn’t enough insulin or the insulin doesn’t work properly. Without the effect of insulin, the organs can’t make good use of the sugar in the blood, so the sugar builds up. If type 1 diabetes is left untreated, blood sugar levels can increase to over 27.8 mmol/l . Such high levels tend to be uncommon in type 2 diabetes.
Blood sugar levels below 3.3 mmol/l are considered to be too low. But, as you can see in the illustration below, there are no clear-cut borders between normal blood sugar levels and too high or too low blood sugar levels.
Blood sugar: Normal range between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
When Blood Sugar Is Too Low
Hypoglycemia is the medical word for low blood sugar level. It needs to be treated right away. Why? Because glucose, or sugar, is the bodyâs main fuel source. That means your body including your brain needs glucose to work properly.
When blood sugar levels go lower than theyâre supposed to, you can get very sick. Your parents and your diabetes health care team will tell you what your blood sugar levels should be and what to do if they get too low.
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Symptoms Of Mild Low Blood Sugar
You may have these symptoms when your blood sugar has dropped below 70 milligrams per deciliter . When you have had diabetes for many years, you may not always develop symptoms of mild low blood sugar.
Some young children with diabetes cannot recognize symptoms of low blood sugar. Others can, but not every time. To be safe, the parents need to do a home blood sugar test whenever they suspect low blood sugar in a child.
Symptoms may include:
- Sweating . Check for sweating on the back of your neck at your hairline.
- Nervousness, shakiness, and weakness.
- Extreme hunger and slight nausea.
- Dizziness and headache.
- A fast heartbeat and feeling anxious.
These symptoms may go away shortly after you eat food that contains sugar.
S For Treating A Person With Symptoms Keeping Them From Being Able To Treat Themselves
Dont hesitate to call 911. If someone is unconscious and glucagon is not available or someone does not know how to use it, call 911 immediately.
Do NOT:
- Provide food or fluids
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Low Blood Sugar Facts
- Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. It typically occurs as a side effect of medications for diabetes.
- The normal range of blood glucose is from 70 to 100 mg/dL in an individual without diabetes,
- Most people will feel the effects and symptoms of low blood sugar when blood glucose levels are lower than 50 mg/dL.
- Severe cases may lead to seizures and loss of consciousness.
- Low blood sugar is treated by giving a readily absorbed source of sugar, including soft drinks, juice, or foods containing sugar.
- If hypoglycemia has progressed to the point at which the patient cannot take anything by mouth, an injection of glucagon may be given. Glucagon is a hormone that causes a fast release of glucose from the liver.
Exercise Food And Alcohol
For people with type 1 diabetes, maintaining the correct blood glucose level involves balancing how much insulin you inject, the amount of food you eat, and how much energy you burn during exercise.
Hypoglycaemia may occur if you’ve taken your dose of insulin as usual, but your carbohydrate intake is lower than normal or has been used up more quickly. This may happen if you delay or miss a meal or snack, don’t eat enough carbohydrate, or exercise more than usual.
People with diabetes who’ve drunk too much alcohol, or drank alcohol on an empty stomach, can also get hypoglycaemia.
However, it’s not always possible to identify why a particular episode of hypoglycaemia has occurred, and sometimes it happens for no obvious reason.
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When Blood Sugar Is High What Are The Symptoms
Frequent urination Tiredness Loss of weight. A blood sugar level of more than 180 mg/dL. /span > If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. They may be signs of diabetes.
Diabetes can cause many problems with your body’s ability to process food. These problems include nerve damage, which causes pain in the legs and feet. If you have diabetes, your doctor will check your hands, feet, and kidneys for signs of damage. He or she will also check your blood sugar levels regularly. Your doctor may also check other organs such as the heart, eyes, and teeth.
There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is caused by a lack of insulin. With this type of diabetes, the patient must receive injections of insulin to control their glucose levels or they will suffer severe consequences. Type 2 diabetes is controlled by medication and diet. Even though type 2 diabetes tends to appear later in life, it can still occur in people who are very young or old.
The main symptom of diabetes is usually clear watery urine that happens frequently during the day and night. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure.
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What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Low Blood Sugar
Different people may feel low blood sugar levels differently. People with low blood sugar may:
- feel hungry or have “hunger pains” in their stomach
- feel shaky or like they’re trembling
- have a rapid heart rate
- feel sweaty or have cold, clammy skin
- have pale, gray skin color
- have a headache
- have seizures or convulsions
- lose consciousness
If you have diabetes, try to remember how your body reacts when your blood sugar levels are low. It may help you figure out when you’re having a low blood sugar level more quickly the next time.
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What Should I Do If I Have Symptoms Of A Low Blood Sugar Level
- Check your blood sugar level, if possible. Your blood sugar level is too low if it is at or below 70 mg/dL.
- Eat or drink 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate. Fast-acting carbohydrates will raise your blood sugar level quickly. Examples of 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates:
- 4 ounces of fruit juice
- 4 ounces of regular soda
- 2 tablespoons of raisins
- 1 tube of glucose gel or 3 to 4 glucose tablets
I Hope You Never Have A Low Blood Sugar But If You Do I Want You To Know The Absolute Best Action Steps To Take This Information Is Not Commonly Known So Please Read On
Not once in my 25 years of helping people with diabetes have I met a person who feels okay when their blood sugar drops too low. People hate that awful and scary feeling of losing control. Today I will share the fastest way to handle a low blood sugar. Better yet, I will show you how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
First the FACTS:
The Best Way to Treat a Low Blood Sugar and Other Hypoglycemia Tips
A low blood sugar is a glucose reading of less than or equal to 70mg/dl.
Common symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling:
If you feel funny or have any of these symptoms, check your blood sugar immediately to see if it is low.
If it is less than or equal to 70mg/dl, treat it quickly ASAP to raise your glucose above 70.
Treat low glucose with 15 grams of carbohydrate containing glucose such as:
- 3-4 glucose tablets, gel or liquid glucose
- 8 oz cup of milk
- 4-6 oz fruit juice
- 4-6 oz regular soda, not diet
- 8-10 Lifesavers
- 1 T sugar, honey, or jelly
Wait 15 minutes, and recheck blood sugar. If it is still below 70, repeat treatment. Repeat steps until glucose is above 70. .
Other Guidelines for Treating Low Blood Sugar:
Do not keep eating after the initial treatment. This is hard to do because you may still have symptoms, but continuing to eat causes high blood sugar. Check your glucose after 15 minutes to see if further treatment is needed. Remember, do not keep eating until you no longer have symptoms!
Whenever possible try to avoid these common causes.
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What If I Have Severe Low Blood Glucose And Cant Treat Myself
Glucagona hormone that raises blood glucose levelsis the best way to treat severely low blood glucose. Available as an injection or a nasal spray, glucagon will quickly raise your blood glucose level. Your doctor can prescribe you a glucagon kit for use in case of an emergency.
If your blood glucose level drops very low, you wont be able to treat it by yourself. Be prepared to address severely low blood glucose by
- talking with your doctor or health care team about when and how to use a glucagon emergency kit. If you have an emergency kit, regularly check the date on the package to make sure it hasnt expired.
- teaching your family, friends, and coworkers when and how to give you glucagon. Tell them to call 911 right away after giving you glucagon or if you dont have a glucagon emergency kit with you.
- wearing a medical alert identification bracelet or pendant. A medical alert ID tells other people that you have diabetes and need care right away. Getting prompt care can help prevent the serious problems that low blood glucose levels can cause.
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How Does High Blood Sugar Affect The Body
High sugar in the blood can lead to a number of other symptoms and complications. Here are just a few.
Urination and thirst: High blood sugar goes into the kidneys and urine. This attracts more water, causing frequent urination. This can also lead to increased thirst, despite drinking enough liquids.
Weight loss: High blood sugar can cause sudden or unexplained weight loss. This occurs because the bodys cells are not getting the glucose they need, so the body burns muscle and fat for energy instead.
Numbness and tingling: High blood sugar can also cause numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands, legs, and feet. This is due to diabetic neuropathy, a complication of diabetes that often occurs after many years of high blood sugar levels.
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Low Blood Sugar After Meals
If a person has low blood sugar shortly after finishing a meal, they could have reactive hypoglycemia.
People recovering after recent stomach surgery may be at a higher risk of this after meals. This is because food passes through the stomach too quickly.
Similarly, people who experience pre-diabetes may notice a drop in blood sugar levels after eating because their bodies cannot regulate insulin properly.
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What Can You Do If Your Blood Sugar Levels Are Too Low
It is important to react quickly enough and eat or drink something, like dextrose sugar or a sugary drink .
If someone has severe hypoglycemia they may feel drowsy and confused, and might even become unconscious. People who have type 1 diabetes often carry a pre-filled syringe on them in case that happens, containing the hormone glucagon. Glucagon makes the liver release sugar into the bloodstream. Someone else can then inject the hormone if necessary. If this is not possible, it is important to call the emergency services immediately and ask for medical help.
If your blood sugar levels keep on dropping too low, you should see your doctor. It could then be a good idea to change your lifestyle or medication.
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After You Have Low Blood Sugar
If your low blood sugar was mild , you can return to your normal activities once your blood sugar is back in its target range.
After you have low blood sugar, your early symptoms for low blood sugar are less noticeable for 48 to 72 hours. Be sure to check your blood sugar more often to keep it from getting too low again, especially before eating, physical activity, or driving a car.
If you used glucagon because of a severe low , immediately call your doctor for emergency medical treatment. If you have had lows several times close together , you should also tell you doctor. They may want to change your diabetes plan.