SHORT-TERM DIABETES COMPLICATIONS
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to keep your blood sugar within a good range, it can become too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia). In some cases, blood sugar can fluctuate widely. This usually happens when there is not an appropriate balance between the foods that you eat, your physical activity, and your medications. It can also fluctuate when you are sick or have an infection. Blood sugar that is too low or too high can make you very sick. Whether your blood sugar gets too low or too high, you should always be prepared to treat either condition.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar is too low. When your blood sugar level falls below the normal range, your body doesn't work as well as it should.
Most common causes of low blood sugar are:
• taking too much insulin or diabetes pills
• eating too little food
• skipping or delaying meals
• exercising too much
• drinking too much alcohol
Low blood sugar can happen to you whether your diabetes is treated with insulin, diabetes pills, or other forms of treatment. The symptoms may occur at any time and often with little warning. Low blood sugar is usually easy to treat, but you need to know what to do before it happens. Hypoglycemia must be treated quickly.
Symptoms of low blood sugar are:
• feeling lightheaded
• sweating
• dizziness, faintness
• fatigue
• irritability
• hunger
• headache
• drowsiness
• blurry vision
• numbness & tingling
• confusion
• pounding of heart, trembling, nervousness
Not everyone will have all of the symptoms. Low blood sugar can feel different to different people. Low blood sugar can occur at any time whether you are at home, at work, on the street, or in your car. It is important for you to be able to recognize the symptoms and treat them promptly. If symptoms are treated
immediately, low blood sugar can usually be controlled. If neglected, low blood sugar can be dangerous. You may be in danger of passing out. Low blood sugar can lead to confusion or even coma if left untreated. It is reccomended that you check your blood sugar before driving, to make sure that it is not too low
(level set by you and your doctor).
What You Can Do If You Have Low Blood Sugar (hypoglycemia)
If you feel your sugar level may be low, test your blood. If your blood sugar is less that 80 mg/dL (or at the lowest level for you set by your doctor), you need to treat it. Also, take action if you feel your sugar level is low but you cannot test it.
If your blood sugar is low:
• Eat 10 to 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate right away.
• Check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes.
• Eat another 10 to 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate every 15 minutes
until your blood glucose is above 80 mg/dL or until your symptoms have
gone away.
• Rest while waiting for your blood sugar to return to normal.
The food items listed below will keep your glucose level up for only about 30 minutes. If your next planned meal or snack is more than 30 minutes away, you should go ahead and eat something with a longer acting carbohydrate such as crackers and a tablespoon of peanut butter or a slice of cheese. If your symptoms do not subside, contact your doctor right away or get medical attention.
Examples of foods and liquids containing 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate:
• 2-3 sugar packets
• 1/2 cup (4 oz.) fruit juice
• small piece of fruit
• 1 cup milk (8 oz.)
• 1/2 cup (4 oz.) regular soda (not diet)
• 3 - 5 pieces hard candy
• 3 tsp. sugar or honey
• 3 - 4 glucose tablets
Always carry some type of fast-acting carbohydrate with you so that you will be prepared at any time to treat a low blood sugar level. When away from home, it's a good idea to always carry these items with you:
• your diabetes identification card, medical ID bracelet or necklace with
your name, conditions and allergies on it
• cell phone, enough change, or a calling card to make an emergency
phone call
In some cases, hypoglycemia can cause a person to become aggressive or seem uncooperative, which can easily be mistaken for drunkenness by people who do not know about the effects of hypoglycemia. If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia, you should be cautious when making the decision to drive.
High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)
High blood sugar means a blood sugar level that has risen and stayed well above normal. For most people, blood glucose levels that stay higher than 140 mg/dL (before meals) are too high. Talk to your health care provider about the glucose range that is best for you.
Most common reasons for high blood sugar are:
• eating too much food
• being less active than usual
• taking too little diabetes medicine
• illness
• stress
Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage body organs. For this reason, people with diabetes should try to keep their blood glucose levels in control as much as possible.
Symptoms of high blood sugar are:
• increased thirst and urination
• loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
• fatigue
• weakness, pains in stomach, aching all over
• heavy, labored breathing
• high blood sugar readings when you test your blood
• ketones in urine
• cuts or sores that heal slowly
• blurred vision
• dry or itchy skin
High blood sugar can be prevented by:
• taking your medicine in the correct dose on time
• eating the right portions of food
• getting enough exercise
• testing your blood sugar often, especially when you are sick
What You Can Do If You Have High Blood Sugar (hyperglycemia)
- If your doctor has prescribed a "sliding scale" of rapid or short-acting insulin, then test your blood sugar level and take the type and amount of insulin as ordered by your doctor.
- If your blood sugar is too high and you are not sick, going for a long walk or some other easy exercise may lower your blood sugar. However, do not exercise if your blood sugar is over 300 or over 240 and you have ketones in your urine.
- If your blood sugar stays over 300 after you have checked it twice at least one hour apart, call your doctor. You may need a change in your medicine or eating and exercise plan to bring your blood sugar level into a better range.
