Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar, also known as a diabetic low. It’s a balancing act to get BG (blood glucose or blood sugar) levels to be normal. The best way to balance is to eat a balanced meal, exercise and take your insulin.
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Why does a diabetic low happen?
Sugar, or glucose, is your body’s main source of fuel. So, if you are “low” that means the sugar in your blood stream is less than it needs to be. If your sugar is low for too long there is a possibility you could get really sick.
Lots of things use up extra blood sugar. Somethings that might make you go low are skipping meals or not eating enough at meals. Exercising more than normal, having too much insulin or not timing the insulin dosage correctly can affect levels. Sometimes even taking a hot bath or showers after a shot of insulin could cause you to feel “low”.
How does a low feel?
What are some signs that your sugar is heading low? You may feel hungry, hangry (super hungry and mad!) or shaky. Your heart rate may be rapid, or you may feel sweaty and clammy, pale or gray, headache, dizzy, moody, sleepy, unsteady, staggering when walking, blurred vision, double vision, being confused, passed out, or even in extreme cases seizures.
Eat to “Treat!”
What do you eat to treat a low blood sugar? I like to treat lows with a small amount of candy or few sips of a non diet drink. Then, I eat some protein and wait 5 to 10 minutes to check again to see if my number is trending up. If not, I eat some more!
I get super hungry when a diabetic low happens. Keeping track of how much you eat while you stuff your face can be hard, but caregivers (family, friends, your teacher) can help. When you eat too much, a rebound high can happen. Then, you have to treat a high! Controlling what you eat prevents a roller coaster ride for your blood sugars.
On the other hand, if you are super low or have passed out, your parent will give you a glucose shot from a glucagon syringe or another type of device and roll you over on your stomach. Sometimes they may have to call 911, but that does not always mean anything scary. An Emergency Medical Technician, EMT, may come and help make sure you are okay!
Keep on going!
Don’t let the fear of going low keep you from having fun! Diabetic lows will happen, and that’s okay! You can always wear a medical bracelet out in public so in case of emergences people will know how to help. Also, your caregivers can make sure teachers and other folks know how to help you if you need it.
Just like your feelings, diabetic lows and high are part of life. If you feel angry or sad or sleepy or mad, those feelings will change, but then you feel happy or excited or curious again. Your blood sugar changes like that, too. Diabetic lows and highs are a part of life!
Check out these links for extra explanations
Terminology and information on diabetic lows and diabetic life can be very confusing. Our goal is to help relieve confusion by writing posts for all ages. Also, each post will be followed by links. We hope these resources take some of the confusion away. Plus, when you are tired of explaining over and over, these posts provide a place for you to send others and help them understand!
- What is a Low? Diabetes 101 – Helpful Terms
- What is High Blood Sugar? Easy Explanations
- What is High? Diabetes 101 – Helpful Terms
- hyperglycemia
JDRF
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