Monday 26 May 2008

The action When Blood Glucose Is Too High or Too Low

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to keep your blood glucose in your target range, it’s too high or too low. Blood glucose that’s too high or too low can make you very sick. Here’s how to handle these emergencies.

Hyperglycemia
If your blood glucose stays over 180, it may be too high. High blood glucose means you don’t have enough insulin in your body. High blood glucose, or “hyperglycemia,” can happen if you miss taking your diabetes medicine, eat too much, or don’t get enough exercise. Sometimes, the medicines you take for other problems cause high blood glucose. Be sure to tell your doctor about other medicines you take.


Having an infection, being sick, or under stress can also make your blood glucose too high. That’s why it’s very important to check your blood glucose and keep taking your diabetes medicines when you’re sick.
If you're very thirsty and tired, have blurry vision, and have to go to the bathroom often, your blood glucose may be too high. Very high blood glucose may also make you feel sick to your stomach.
If your blood glucose is high much of the time, or if you have symptoms of high blood glucose, call your doctor. You may need a change in your diabetes medicines, or a change in your meal plan.

Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia happens if your blood glucose drops too low. It can come on fast. It’s caused by taking too much diabetes medicine, missing a meal, delaying a meal, exercising more than usual, or drinking alcoholic beverages. Sometimes, medicines you take for other health problems can cause blood glucose to drop.
Hypoglycemia can make you feel weak, confused, irritable, hungry, or tired. You may sweat a lot or get a headache. You may feel shaky. If your blood glucose drops lower, you could pass out or have a seizure.
If you have any of these symptoms, check your blood glucose. If the level is 70 or below, have one of the following right away:
• 3 or 4 glucose tablets
• 1 serving of glucose gel (equal to 15 grams of carbohydrate)
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of any fruit juice
• 1 cup (8 ounces) of milk
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of a regular (not diet) soft drink
• 5 or 6 pieces of hard candy
• 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey

Have one of these "quick fix" foods when your blood glucose is low.
After 15 minutes, check your blood glucose again to make sure your level is 70 or above. Repeat these steps as needed. Once your blood glucose is stable, if it will be at least an hour before your next meal, have a snack.
If you take diabetes medicines that can cause hypoglycemia, always carry food for emergencies. It’s a good idea also to wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace.
If you take insulin, keep a glucagon kit at home and at a few other places where you go often. Glucagon is given as an injection with a syringe and quickly raises blood glucose. Show your family, friends, and co-workers how to give you a glucagon injection if you pass out because of hypoglycemia.
You can prevent hypoglycemia by eating regular meals, taking your diabetes medicine, and checking your blood glucose often. Checking will tell you whether your glucose level is going down. You can then take steps, like drinking fruit juice, to raise your blood glucose.

When you have hypoglycemia, have a snack to bring your blood glucose back to normal.

Friday 23 May 2008

The symptoms of diabetes

People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. They might have SOME or NONE of the following diabetes symptoms:

· Frequent urination
· Excessive thirst
· Unexplained weight loss
· Extreme hunger
· Sudden vision changes
· Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
· Feeling very tired much of the time
· Very dry skin
· Sores that are slow to heal
· More infections than usual.

Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of diabetes symptoms in the abrupt onset of insulin-dependent diabetes, now called type 1 diabetes