Stopping the Sugar Shakes, Hypoglycemic Reactions to Low Blood Sugar Levels

Dear Diary,
After 7 years of high blood sugar levels I get to experience a new threat. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is even more dangerous than hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in the short term.

With the benefit of medication and a change of lifestyle by eating better and getting some badly needed exercise, I have had the pleasure (note sarcasm) of experiencing the Sugar Shakes a couple of times recently.

Sugar shakes are the result of your body actually making use of it's insulin and properly processing sugar. The only problem is your body doesn't quite know when to quit. When your sugar level becomes depleted you get a nervous shaky feeling, probably combined with nausea and possibly sweating, at least this is what I experience.

In my younger days this was a sign that lunch or supper should be coming along shortly or I would go looking for some cookies and a glass of milk.

Now that I am a diabetic it takes on a more serious meaning. The sugar shakes are a clear indication that you're about to be in serious trouble. Ignored, they will quickly escalate to include a reduced ability to control motor functions, dizziness, and eventually you will become unconscious.

At that point you become a full fledged medical emergency because the only way to save your life is to intravenously reverse the situation in short order.

Fortunately with the help of websites like MedicineNet.com I was fully aware of this and I always carry a package of Glucose Tablets with me.

I've adjusted when I eat to better accommodate this new fact of life. By bringing a banana, or an orange for a quick snack during my morning bus driving shift I can keep my blood sugar in the safe zone.

Eating a boat load of candy, or downing a quart of orange juice In a panic when the sugar shakes strike, isn't a good choice either. Sure it will bring you around, but then you spike your blood sugar to the other extreme. It's better to stabilize yourself with a Glucose Tablet, then go find some healthy food.

You just need to make sure you're never caught in a situation where you have nothing close at hand to remedy the situation. Once you go unconscious, your screwed. Someone finding you still breathing may have no idea what the issue is. If medical assistance is delayed, it may be too late to save you.

This week I kept my morning test strips well under 100, though once again weight lose seems to be stalled. Last night's KFC pig out sure didn't help. It sure tasted good though. Damn this addiction...