All Entries Tagged With: "hypoglycemia"
Why does drinking alcohol make someone with diabetes more likely to have a low blood glucose (hypoglycemia)?
When your blood glucose gets too low, your brain sends signals to your body to push out hormones that “tell” your liver to release glucose into your blood to bring your blood glucose up again. Alcohol interferes with those signals and makes it harder for glucose to be released from your liver.
What is a safe blood glucose to go to bed with to avoid hypoglycemia during the night?
This really depends on what type of treatment you are taking for your diabetes. If you are only taking metformin for your diabetes, then it is very unlikely that your blood glucose will go too low during the night.
Is it safe to drive if I might have hypoglycemia?
That is a judgment call you need to make. Having a hypoglycemic episode while you are driving is one of the most dangerous situations for someone with diabetes.
Am I safe from hypoglycemia if I eat extra food while I exercise?
It is certainly a good idea to check your blood glucose frequently before, during, and after exercise and to take extra food.
What can someone else do to help me if I pass out unconscious from hypoglycemia?
They should certainly try to rouse you and see if you are able to eat or drink some glucose or a regular pop or juice. If you are unconscious and cannot be roused, they should call 9–1-1.
If I had hypoglycemia and passed out unconscious, would I die?
This is a very real concern that you may have, but the truth is, it is incredibly rare for hypoglycemia to cause someone to die, even if they pass out and are unconscious for a few hours.
Can people who don’t have diabetes get hypoglycemia?
Yes, they can, but it is much rarer than most people think. “Hypoglycemia” is often over-diagnosed in people who don’t have diabetes. Here’s how it can happen. People get symptoms where they feel weak, sweaty, dizzy, hun…
If I wake up with a headache, does that mean I was hypoglycemic during the night?
If you wake up with a headache, it might mean that your blood glucose was low during the night, but there are other causes of early morning headache.
Can you ever have hypoglycemia without knowing it?
Yes, you can. If you have diabetes and take insulin, it is perfectly possible for your blood glucose to drop into the hypoglycemic range for several hours during the night while you are asleep.
Can hypoglycemia damage your brain cells?
If your blood glucose stayed really low for several hours, it could damage your brain cells.