Diabetic question...How can a diabetic let their blood sugar go so low that they're like a zombi?

Diagnosed at age 13, and now age 50, our house guest goes from acting normal to being totally spaced out. Isn't this something that he should know how to monitor and control? Does blood sugar just go low without warning?

I have had no experience with a diabetic guest before. What happens if he goes 'low' and nobody else is around? Asked by HELENofTROY 55 months ago Similar questions: Diabetic question diabetic blood sugar low zombi Health.

Similar questions: Diabetic question diabetic blood sugar low zombi.

It can drop in a matter of minutes with no warning at all. I probably don’t monitor my blood sugar like I should but sometimes it will just bottom out with no warning and with no apparent reason. So far mine has never gone so low that I passed out but my wife has found me sitting in the floor with no idea where I am.It’s not a problem most of the time if you pay some attention to your diet and take whatever meds you need like you are supposed to but it does happen even when every precaution is taken.

If it is happening all that often to your guest he is either doing something wrong or his meds need to be adjusted or he is in a lot worse shape than I am. Mine goes south about two or three times a year so and if it is happening that often to your guest they really need to see their doctor. Sources: my life KingofRandomCrap's Recommendations Grandpa Witmer's Old Fashioned Natural Peanut Butter Mixer 3214 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 6 reviews) When mine gives me any warning at all I crave peanut butter.

Yes, he should know how to control his blood sugar.... But sometimes diabetics think they have it under control and all of a sudden it has gone totally out of control because they did not do what they were supposed to do. Example: my ex-husband was also diagnosed when he was 13, but he drank a lot of beer (sometimes a whole 12 pack in an evening) which totally makes your blood sugar go out of wack. He said that he adjusted his insulin in order to be able to do it.

He did not regularly test his blood sugar like he was supposed to. He had problems with his feet and his eyes due to poor circulation, which happens to a lot of diabetics. Also, he had "forgotten" to do his morning insulin shot, ended up passing out and broke a tooth on a table when he fell (this happened after we were divorced).

It just so happens that the neighbors had stopped by to check on him and were able to see him passed out on the floor through the kitchen door window. If they had not found him, he could have gone into a diabetic coma and possibly died. Have some of this on-hand: This glucose paste is a liquid sugar gel that can rapidly counteract the devastating and potentially life-threatening effects of low blood sugar that Hypoglycemic people experience.

Here is what you need to know: Low Blood Sugar Symptoms A low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction, is defined as a blood glucose level below 60 to 70 mg/dl. It is usually companied by one or more of the symptoms described below. Low blood sugars or insulin reactions can occur whenever insulin is used.

Although less frequent, it can also occur with use of drugs that stimulate insulin production in Type 2 diabetes, such as Diabenese, Glyburide, Glipizide, and Starlix. Hypoglycemia symptoms vary greatly. Lows may occur with no symptoms, minor symptoms, or full-blown symptoms.

They will vary from person to person and from one low to the next in the same person. A single symptom may make you aware that your blood sugar has become low, or you may suddenly become aware of several symptoms at once. Symptoms are created both by the effect of the low blood sugar on the brain and other organs, and by the effects of adrenaline and glucagon which are released in large quantities to raise the blood sugar.

Anytime you suspect a low blood sugar, check it to be sure and, if you are low, raise your sugar quickly with glucose tablets or other fast carbohydrates. If you’re too confused to check, eat quick carbs and check later. The faster you recognize hypoglycemia, the faster you can respond and bring the blood sugar back to normal.

Keep in mind that you do not want to eat too much when you treat a low blood sugar, or you can begin a blood sugar rollercoaster. Identify the symptoms for insulin reactions so you can take action quickly. Insulin Reaction Symptoms shaking sweating irritability headache tingling hunger blurred vision dizziness and confusion numbness of the lips nausea or vomiting fast heart rate sudden tiredness seizures pale appearance frequent sighing personality change confusion or poor concentation loss of consciousness Symptoms for nighttime lows can be particularly hard to recognize.

If you wake up during the night with any of the symptoms below, check your blood sugar immediately. (Or eat quick carbs and then check. ) Nighttime Symptoms nightmares waking up very alert damp night clothes or sheets waking up with a fast heart rate restlessness and inability to go back to sleep People often sleep through nighttime reactions and have symptoms the next morning that they may not recognize as resulting from a nighttime reaction.

If you have any of these symptoms, suspect an insulin reaction during the night. It is strongly recommended that you test your blood sugar at 2 a.m. For a few nights.

This can do wonders to identify and correct this potentially dangerous situation. Next Morning Symptoms an unusually high blood sugar after breakfast or before lunch waking up with a headache waking up "foggy headed" a small amount of ketones but no glucose in the morning urine loss of short-term memory Having one insulin reaction increases the risk for another. In one study, 46% of the people who had a reaction had another reaction the same day and another 24% had a reaction on the second day.

Unfortunately, the second reaction is harder to recognize because stress hormones, which create symptoms like sweating and shaking, are largely depleted by the first reaction for the next 2 to 3 days! Sources: personal experience; http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_control_tips/hypoglycemia_symptoms.php;http://store.everestgear.com/371040.html .

If he goes low when no one is around to help him, he could die. At 50, he SHOULD have his diabetes under control, however, this does not mean it is his "fault" that he is in this situation. Obviously something is not working correctly and he NEEDS to see his doctor about it.

The "Type" of diabetes he has makes a BIG difference as to how this should be dealt with long term. However, right now, you can help. Going "low" means that he is not eating enough.

Maybe he is not comfortable asking for a snack when he needs it, so I would suggest offering something as a snack every 2 hours or at least once between meals. It should NOT be high in sugar or carbs, but should contain some. Some fruit, wheat crackers or toast with chese and peanut butter, nuts, tortilla chips, or something like that (not potato chips or heavily processed foods of any kind).

Raw veggies are also GREAT. Blood sugar CAN go low for NO reason, but this should not be happening repeatedly over a few days. If it is, then something is wrong.

Blood sugar can drop from not eating enough food, exercise, or taking too much insulin. With insulin, timing is EVERYTHING. Once he takes his insulin, he needs to eat within 1/2 hour or his blood sugar will begin dropping.

Encourage open communication to avoid simple issues and if none of these things seem to be the problem, then consider a doctor appt. Going LOW does NOT mean that he is not taking his insulin. It may be that he is taking his regular dose and not eating enough to cover the insulin he is taking.

Some people feel VERY embarrassed to ask for special treatment due to a health issue. If I were in your shoes, I would sit him down, say "I’ve noticed that you’ve been having some problems with low episodes. What can I do to help you manage your food intake better so that you stop having this happen?

I am happy to serve you a bigger portion of something and provide snacks if you need it, just please let me know". Once you have this discussion, listen to what he has to say and if he denies it, then just feed him regularly in small amounts. If you CAN make him see his doctor, I would heartily recommend it.

I’m glad you are paying attention. This could be life-threatening so you are right to be concerned. Sources: Personal experience being diabetic kylara70's Recommendations Cheating Destiny: Living With Diabetes, America's Biggest Epidemic Amazon List Price: $25.00 Used from: $12.40 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 17 reviews) If he was STAYING with you, long term, then you would need to do some reading to understand the problem.

Obviously, you do not have time to wait for this book, but just in case someone else is looking for answers...

I'm a diabetic, I do not have to use insulin, but I did take pills. I've had my share of low blood sugar episodes... With me, those episodes didn’t happen because I ate too many sweets, or the wrong food. My problems happened when I missed a meal, mostly due to being too busy to remember to eat.It also happened because my doctor had me on too high a dosage of medication.

When low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) begins, sometimes when it’s happening I’m not even aware that it’s beginning until I get the shakes, heart palpatations, perspire profusely and feel cold at the same time. One day my husband and I were in Target just walking around, when I thought I was going to faint, and I didn’t even make the connection between feeling faint and the possibilty that it was low blood sugar.My husband was the one who knew what was happening with me. I was experiencing lightheadedness, confusion, sweating profusely and couldn’t catch my breath.

I tried reaching into my purse to get a piece of hard candy, which I always carry with me just for this type of situation. I was shaking so badly and feeling panicked, once I got the hard candy out of my purse, I couldn’t even unwrap it. My husband had to take it from my hands and open it for me.

Once I put the candy in my mouth, I chewed it quickly, just to get the sugar into my system as quickly as possible.My blood sugar must have been terribly low that night, because I had to chew a second piece of candy before I felt my body returning to normal. It took about 15 minutes for me to feel normal again. Now, that was a night when I had eaten correctly, by that I mean having something to eat at least once every four hours.

Not large amounts of food, maybe some fruit or yogurt in between meals, with an adequate amount of water or sugar free liquids throughout the day. All this to simply maintain a therapeutic blood sugar level. These low blood sugar episodes were happening to me quite often.

I went to see my doctor, and she did all the required tests, fasting blood sugar levels, etc. As it turned out, I was on too much medication. After my doctor lowered my medication, I was still experiencing low blood sugar episodes, although not as often as before.My doctor determined that my diabetes was totally under control, and she took me off all of the diabetic medication. I test my blood sugar levels everyday.

I still have diabetes, but by monitoring my diet, by that I mean eating the right food and leading a healthy lifestyle, I am controlling my diabetes, it’s not controlling me. Since being off all of the diabetes medication, I have not had a single low blood sugar episode. It’s been nearly 2 years since the last episode.

This is my experience as a diabetic. Perhaps your guest is eating the wrong food, not testing his blood sugar levels enough times during the day or, perhaps he is being over-medicated. I understand your concern about your guest experiencing this type of episode when no one is around.

Have you shared your concerns with him? If not, you really should. I’m sure he would be very appreciative of your concern.

Find out from him what he does when he is alone. I’m positive these episodes aren’t just happening only at your home. It may be difficult for you to broach the subject with him, but you really aren’t responsible for him.

He needs to be more responsible about his health. ***************************************************************************** The following is from The American Diabetes Association website, which may be quite relevant to what may be happening with your guest. diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/hypoglycemi... "Hypoglycemia Unawareness Some people have no symptoms of hypoglycemia.

They may lose consciousness without ever knowing their blood glucose levels were dropping. This problem is called hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia unawareness tends to happen to people who have had diabetes for many years.

Hypoglycemia unawareness does not happen to everyone.It is more likely in people who have neuropathy (nerve damage), people on tight glucose control, and people who take certain heart or high blood pressure medicines. As the years go by, many people continue to have symptoms of hypoglycemia, but the symptoms change. In this case, someone may not recognize a reaction because it feels different.

These changes are good reason to check your blood glucose often, and to alert your friends and family to your symptoms of hypoglycemia. Treat low or dropping sugar levels even if you feel fine. And tell your team if your blood glucose ever drops below 50 mg/dl without any symptoms." "What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

The symptoms of hypoglycemia include: Shakiness Dizziness Sweating Hunger Headache Pale skin color Sudden moodiness or behavior changes, such as crying for no apparent reason Clumsy or jerky movements Seizure Difficulty paying attention, or confusion Tingling sensations around the mouth" Yes, low blood sugar happens, sometimes very quickly. I wasn’t on top of things when it happened to me that night at Target, but I learned my lesson.At the least sign of something even vaguely resembling low blood sugar, I immediately popped a piece of hard candy into my mouth. If not candy, then a glass of orange juice or a glass of soda.

Or, if need be, a scoop of sugar, which I had to do once. That’s what your guest needs to be -- aware of changes going on with his body. Although, with the information provided by the American Diabetes Association, above, your guest may be experiencing "Hypoglycemia Unawareness.

" I hope, at the very least, he has been made aware of this disorder by his physician, and that he wears a bracelet identifying himself as a diabetic. Sources: my experience, diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/hypoglycemi..., www.amazon.com,? Lin?

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Poppet! Said: 1 Low is bad....really bad. I don't have human diabetes experience, but feline diabetes with my cat.

He almost died recently due to low blood sugar. I actually thought he was dead when I found him. I imagine your house guest isn't testing his blood sugar, and maybe is eating whatever he wants; or his insulin isn't regulating him properly.It's a terrible disease.

Low is bad....really bad. I don't have human diabetes experience, but feline diabetes with my cat. He almost died recently due to low blood sugar.

I actually thought he was dead when I found him. I imagine your house guest isn't testing his blood sugar, and maybe is eating whatever he wants; or his insulin isn't regulating him properly. It's a terrible disease.

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