Lowering blood sugar - Symptoms

The first signs of reduced sugar in the blood in healthy persons appear in the exponent 3, 3 mmol / L. Diabetics feel the signs of low blood sugar much earlier, since they are used to stably high content of sugar in the blood. Hypoglycemia can occur in patients with diabetes with a sharp decrease in the concentration of sugar, for example, from 20 to 10 mmol / L. Older people over the years have consistently high blood sugar, become accustomed to live with these indicators, so they can be considered normal levels of sugar in the range of 6-8 mmol / l. But it also happens that a person feels when normal blood sugar 2, 5 mmol / l.

Why is this happening? The fact is that the brain cells (neurons) metabolize glucose independently of insulin The principles of action of insulin - the science of saving lives As starving neurons, even a few minutes can disrupt the entire process of life - people can die. That is why the brain cells obtained from the blood glucose directly.

When hypoglycemia blood sugar plummets and patient neurons receive less energy, which leads to violations of the central nervous system - the patient is unable to think clearly and to control their actions. In the absence of aid, he loses consciousness and falls into a coma.

The fall in blood sugar is accompanied by severe weakness, sweating, tremors in the hands, legs and the whole body, irresistible hunger, palpitation, fear of death, which is accompanied by increased excitability and mental disorders, which may occur after the loss of consciousness. This condition is called hypoglycemic coma. Patients prone to hypoglycemia, must carry sweets and take them at the first sign of hypoglycemia Lowered blood sugar - hypoglycemia signs .

Reduced sugar in the blood - the symptoms of hypoglycemic coma

The sharp drop in blood sugar causes a condition called hypoglycemic syndrome, with all the signs of low blood sugar rapidly increasing. Hypoglycemic syndrome can be divided into four phases.

In the first phase of development of hypoglycemic syndrome manifested a strong sense of hunger, fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, tearfulness, alternating with excessive joy, irritable weakness.

In the second phase, the feeling of hunger becomes unbearable, the patient was pale, covered with cold sweat, his heart pounding hard, trembling limbs, all over his body "shiver run" vision becomes blurred, there is a sense of fear of death.

In the third phase the patient numb tongue, behavior becomes unmanageable, it is euphoric, excited, a state similar to alcohol intoxication and associated with inhibition of inhibitory processes in the brain. Disappearing sense of fear, the behavior is absolutely inadequate - patient with diabetes can eat sweets to give to relieve the symptoms of hypoglycemia, despite the fact that he knew about the need for this.

In the fourth phase, a very strong decrease in blood sugar causes trembling of the body, there are jerking and spasms, the patient loses vision, and then consciousness - comes hypoglycemic coma, which can occur very hard.

Salvation, in this case, oddly enough, are seizures - they contribute to the breakdown of glycogen in the muscles and enter the resulting as a result of glucose in the blood. That is why the death of patients with hypoglycemic coma (if they were not provided timely assistance) do not always occur.

Initial phase hypoglycemic syndrome usually no irreversible effects on the brain. But if there comes a hypoglycemic coma, and the patient will not be provided timely assistance, irreversible changes in the brain may well happen. They will lead to a decrease in intellectual abilities and memory.

How to help a patient in hypoglycemic coma

Lowering blood sugar in the hypoglycemic syndrome develops very quickly, so even at home, before the arrival of the ambulance the patient is required to provide first aid, otherwise it may die. At the beginning of the development of this syndrome can gain admission for something sweet (diabetics Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease   They carry with them for the purpose of candy). After that you need to eat something containing complex carbohydrates - porridge, a slice of black bread, cabbage salad, apple - this will stop the fall in sugar and reduce sweating, headache, drowsiness, tremor, and pallor. If numbness of the tongue and lips, diplopia urgent need to drink a fizzy sweet drink - simple carbohydrates that it contains, are absorbed faster. But if the patient is already inadequate, refuse to accept the sweet or loses consciousness, then you should immediately call an ambulance.

Before the arrival of the ambulance the patient must be placed in a horizontal position (feet should be in the raised position - the patient is reduced blood pressure and blood flow required to the brain). If possible, you need to release it from the garter dress, open a window or window. The patient should not lie on his back and on the side - it warns the tongue and getting saliva and vomit in the respiratory tract. Cheek he can lay the sweetness of the syrup - jam, honey, dissolved in water, candy and so on (you can not lay the entire candy - the patient may suffocate).

First medical help at hypoglycemic coma is the slow intravenous injection of 20 ml of 40% glucose Glucose: The energy source . Glucose is introduced, even if the doctor can not immediately understand what a coma - hypo- or hyperglycemic (with an increase in blood sugar). In the latter case, the glucose will not worsen the condition of the patient, on the contrary, it may even stop the process of fat breakdown and formation of these energies, which are accompanied by the release of large amounts of toxic substances (acetone).

The fall in blood sugar - a dangerous condition, which, however, can be stopped by the patient or his relatives. To do this, the patient must clearly understand what is going on in his body and be able to help themselves. Diabetics know how to do it - they are taught self-control and self-help techniques in special courses, which all have the same name - "School of diabetes."

Galina Romanenko

The benefits of physical activity in diabetes

One of the beneficial effects of physical exercise - this is the effect of maintaining blood glucose levels within normal limits. This allows not to reduce caloric intake too drastically.

Every day walk for twenty minutes more than usual, this will allow you to eat a little more food. And instead of being cut back by 500 calories diet, you can reduce it to 200 or 300 and also burn to achieve excellent results in weight loss. Here you control the level of sugar in the blood. Also, maintain your new weight easier if you reset it slowly. This path is also safer.

It must be remembered that each type of physical activity affects blood glucose Glucose: The energy source   blood on its own.

Aerobics - normal running or training on a treadmill - instantly reduce blood sugar Blood sugar - one of the main indicators of human health .

When lifting weights or prolonged and intense physical activity can decrease blood sugar levels after several hours after the workout. This can be problematic, especially when a person is driving. And this is one of the reasons for which a diabetic should check your blood sugar before you get behind the wheel. Also a good option - to keep in the car for snack foods, such as fruit, crackers, juice and soda water.

During exercise you burn the glucose contained in the blood and in the muscles and liver. People who take insulin or other drugs to mimic the release of insulin The principles of action of insulin - the science of saving lives It is necessary to carefully monitor the fluctuations in blood sugar Blood sugar - a very important indicator If they increase physical activity. Over time, provided regular exercise can reduce the dose of insulin and other medicines.

How to switch to a diet for weight loss for patients with diabetes

Lose weight is always difficult. It should be brought to the compilation of diet on diabetes specialist or a dietician. They can develop a personalized program taking into account the lifestyle of a particular person - a program with real goals.

You will need a diet that you can follow on a daily basis. You need to know how to raise or lower the level of insulin in the blood, as well as how to use the drugs, based on your diet and level of physical activity. This is the safest way to lose weight.

In addition to individual consultations with a specialist in diabetes or dietitian can also attend group sessions, which are held at hospitals and are much cheaper. For information on these sessions, contact your doctor or a paramedic.

Also, more information about diets for weight loss and physical activity in diabetes can be found on the Internet.

Information - is power, and the more information you have, the more will be your right decision.