Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)
Causes:
- Too much food
- Not enough insulin or medication
- Illness
- Stress
Onset: Gradual
Symptoms:
- Tired
- Weight loss
- Thirst
- Change in vision
- Increase urination
- Moodiness
- Muscle cramps
- Poor concentration
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
In persons with type 2 diabetes, most often there are no symptoms at all! In fact, the symptoms can be so gradual that they are often overlooked. Persons with Type 2 diabetes have often had it for several years before they are diagnosed.
What to do:
If your blood sugars are running high, then test your blood sugars every 4 hours. Call your doctor if the reading if higher than 14 mmol/L (240 mg/dl) for 3 tests in a row.
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
Causes:
- Not enough food
- Too much insulin or medication
- Exercise
Onset: Very quickly
Symptoms:
- Trembling
- Palpitations
- Hunger
- Nausea
- Tingling
- Poor concentration
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Sweating
- Vision changes
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty speaking
What to do:
If possible, test your blood sugar.
If it is less than 4.0 mmol/L (70 mg/dl) then take 15 grams of carbohydrate
Examples: 3 glucose tablets
1 Tbsp of honey
¾ cup of fruit juice
Wait 15 minutes.
Re-test your blood sugar
If still less than 4.0 mmol/L, (70 mg/dl) then treat with another 15 grams of carbohydrate and wait for 15 minutes and test again.
When blood sugar is 4.0 mmol/L (70 mg/dl) or more, and if your next meal is more then an hour away, then have a snack that contains 15 grams of carbohydrate and some protein
Example:
1. A piece of fruit and 1 oz of cheese
2. 8 soda crackers and 1 tbsp of peanut butter