| Right from the beginning, from the time you | | | | such as |
| received your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the | | | | - half a cup of fruit juice or a regular soft drink |
| words you heard were high blood sugar levels. | | | | - eat a few pieces of hard candy (approximately |
| Unfortunately, over a sustained period of time | | | | 6 pieces) |
| these high levels have many detrimental health | | | | - take two 15 gram glucose tablets (available at |
| consequences. But as well as hyperglycemia, as a | | | | the pharmacy) |
| diabetic there are times when you will get to deal | | | | Moderate or severe hypoglycemia requires |
| with low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia. | | | | stronger measures. If the diabetic (hopefully not |
| There are several factors that can create | | | | you), is having trouble staying conscious, an |
| hypoglycemia. Learning as much as you can about | | | | injection of glucagon would be required. |
| both high and low blood sugar levels will allow you | | | | Hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia is the medical term |
| react appropriately to either situation. | | | | used to describe higher than normal blood sugar |
| Hypoglycemia: The medical term for low blood | | | | levels. The causes include the amount (and type) |
| sugar is hypoglycemia and can be caused by: | | | | of food you eat, illness, infection, insufficient |
| - excessive insulin | | | | medication and being inactive or under emotional |
| - not eating a snack or meal, and | | | | pressure. |
| - even exercising more than you normally do | | | | Low blood sugar levels are easily identified... high |
| If you have diabetes you will experience low | | | | blood sugar levels are not as easy to detect. |
| blood sugar at some time. | | | | Increased urination and thirst can be a couple of |
| Symptom recognition of hypoglycemia can | | | | signs though, together with nausea, vomiting and |
| prevent serious health situations. Know the signs: | | | | abdominal pain. Because hyperglycemia is not as |
| - sweating | | | | easy to identify, it is important to check your |
| - a pounding heart | | | | blood sugars as directed by your health care |
| - shaking/trembling | | | | practitioner. |
| - hunger | | | | Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to more |
| - anxiousness | | | | serious problems including ketoacidosis. This is a |
| - tingling | | | | severe complication and some people die of this |
| - confusion or difficulty in thinking | | | | illness. Ketoacidosis refers to the fact that your |
| - drowsiness or weakness | | | | blood becomes very acidic as fat is broken down |
| - stroppy behavior | | | | by your body for energy. Ketoacidosis occurs: |
| - speech difficulty | | | | - most often in type 1 diabetics |
| - nausea | | | | - is rare if your have type 2 diabetes |
| - headache | | | | - can happen in type 2 diabetes if your have |
| - tiredness | | | | another illness such as an infection or trauma that |
| If you have any of the above symptoms check | | | | puts you under great stress |
| your glucose level immediately and take the | | | | If you continue to experience high blood sugar |
| appropriate action if your level is below the | | | | levels, do not hesitate to contact your doctor to |
| acceptable range provided by your physician. Have | | | | check if your eating plan and medication need |
| a snack handy, you can quickly bring your sugar | | | | adjustment. |
| level back-up with a high-carbohydrate snack, | | | | |