Normal blood glucose levels are a luxury for those who are not affected by diabetes in all forms. Hopefully your are someone lucky enough to have your blood sugar under control. If you or someone you know is having problems in this area, read on.

What is glucose? Glucose is a form of sugar that travels through the human blood stream. It usually enters your body in the form of foods high in carbohydrates. You can regulate glucose levels through the body’s use of insulin and glucagon hormones which are produced by the pancreas. The problem arises if the pancreas is unable to generate the proper amount of glucose to keep your body in check.

Normal blood sugar levels register between 70 and 150 mg. The level in someone’s body will change during the day and is affected by many factors including what time of day it is as well as what your most recent meal was (or was not). There is danger associated with levels either below or above the range. If your level is below 70, you most likely have a condition called hypoglycemia or more commonly called low blood sugar. Other symptoms of hypoglycemia include lack of energy, focus and irritability. You can even lose consciousness if your glucose is too low.

If your blood sugar is over 150 mg, then you are considered to be hyperglycemic, also more commonly known as having high blood sugar. If you have persistent high sugar, then you are at risk for diabetes which can result in serious organ damage to your eyes, kidneys and other organs. If you do not have normal blood glucose levels, you should take all necessary steps to reverse the condition. If you have a lifestyle that includes poor habits - including nutrition and exercise practices and decisions that have an adverse impact on your health, now is the time to change your habits and bring your blood sugar under control.

Do you know if you are having a “hypo” Do your family and friends know what is happening if you start to sound vague and confused So what is it Hypo is the abbreviated word given for hypoglycemia and it means your blood glucose has dropped to a low level.

As you know, with diabetes type 1 or type 2, you are constantly dealing with high blood sugar levels. In order to bring your levels to within a normal range, your health care provider may have prescribed insulin,or insulin-stimulating pills. But drugs and treatments are not always perfect, so if you:

• take too much of the medication
• eat too little
• exercise too hard and too long, or even start to exercise when your levels are just a little low
• drink alcohol and don’t add appropriate snacks
• are in a hot environment, eg. bath or sauna

your blood glucose can drop to a level, usually between 50-75 mg/dl (2.8-4 mmol/l) where symptoms of hypoglycemia develop.

Symptoms that develop when the level falls rapidly:

the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated to produce adrenalin, causing

• sweating
• whiteness, or skin pallor
• tremor
• rapid heartbeat, or tachycardia
• palpitations, or the feeling your heart is beating far too fast
• nervousness
• hunger sensation

Symptoms that develop when the level falls slowly:

there is a depression of the central nervous system, resulting in:

• a headache
• lightheadedness
• confusion
• emotional changes
• memory lapses
• numbness of the tongue and lips
• slurred speech
• drowsiness
• staggering gait
• convulsions
• coma

The combination of symptoms varies considerably in different people and in the same people at different times. You may lose your ability to think clearly when you become hypoglycemic and people may assume you are drunk.

What should you do:

• if you take insulin or a sulphonylurea medication, wear a bracelet or carry some form of identification with you that shows you have diabetes
• be familiar with the warning signs, share the information around with your family, friends and work colleagues. Make sure they know how to treat you: sugar cubes, glucose tablets, jelly beans, sugary soft drink, orange juice, anything that contains about 15 grams of sugar. You may need to add a slower-acting carbohydrate food (a sandwich or a piece of fruit),10-15 minutes later to keep your blood sugar level up
• don’t wait for your level to drop below 75 mg/dl (4 mmol/l) … treat yourself for hypoglycemia immediately.

Your symptoms should warn your that your blood sugar level is low. If you have type 2 diabetes and take insulin injections or take insulin-stimulating pills, always carry candy or glucose tablets with you for prompt relief.