When a person with diabetes does not feel to well, it is a good idea for them to check their blood sugar. Generally a diabetic feels bad due to a high blood sugar (blood glucose). Some symptoms of a high blood sugar are:
- becoming very thirsty
- using the bathroom more frequently than usual
- drowsiness
- uneasiness in one's stomach
When a diabetic experiences these symptoms, they should test their blood sugar immediately! If the blood sugar is up high, then give yourself an injection of insulin (if one is on insulin syringes) or a correction (if one is on the insulin pump). Once the right amount of insulin is administered properly, then within the hour the symptoms should go away. But is is important to DRINK A LOT OF WATER WHEN YOUR BLOOD SUGAR IS UP HIGH UNTIL IT GOES BACK DOWN TO NORMAL.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Low Blood Sugar
Last night I woke up at about 2:00 in the morning because I felt that I had a low blood sugar (blood glucose). I tested my blood sugar and the meter said that I was 52, which is a low blood sugar reading. I drank a juice box because juice brings up blood levels very fast. I then tested my blood sugar again after waiting for 15 minutes. It was then 97 which was at a normal rate and I went back to bed.
Every diabetic will have a low blood sugar, it's inevitable. When you do have one it is important to ALWAYS have a juice box near by so you can bring it back up and your meter so you can test. At night I always keep a juice box on my end table just in case I go low in the middle of the night. When you are traveling you should always have a juice box/bottle in your pocket, suitcase, backpack, etc... and your meter.
Diabetics should always keep a juice box or any kind of snack on them just in case they have a low blood sugar.
Every diabetic will have a low blood sugar, it's inevitable. When you do have one it is important to ALWAYS have a juice box near by so you can bring it back up and your meter so you can test. At night I always keep a juice box on my end table just in case I go low in the middle of the night. When you are traveling you should always have a juice box/bottle in your pocket, suitcase, backpack, etc... and your meter.
Diabetics should always keep a juice box or any kind of snack on them just in case they have a low blood sugar.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
How I Was Diagnosed
I was diagnosed with Diabetes when I was 5 years old while living in Philadelphia. It is an interesting story because I was in the hospital for an Asthma attack, not for Diabetes itself. After a t-ball game, my parents noticed a breathing abnormality and brought me to the hospital. Up until then, I had no prior health issues or medical problems. As I was being examined at the hospital, the doctors noticed that my blood sugar levels were VERY high, causing them to test me for Diabetes. The results then came back positive, I was now a Type 1 Diabetic.
At that time, because I was so young, I did not know what this meant, but figured it was something bad based on the way my parents were reacting. Looking back, it must have been a shock for my parents, who had just learned I had Asthma and even worse, they had to process a second diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. When I spoke to my mom and dad years later about their take on the problem, they said they were nervous because they did not know what to do and knew very few people who had Diabetes. They went under a great deal of stress learning and worrying about the disease by taking classes on it. The classes were very helpful and now the entire family is informed on how to live with the disease.
While I'm still young, I feel that my experiences are rich enough to share with people living with Diabetes. The primary focus of my blog is to help others who have Diabetes and need help and or answers with the disease. I know my parents needed information 12 years ago before the internet was what it is today. Hopefully in some small way, this will help people in that same situation realize that one can live with Diabetes in a happy and productive manner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes...
In this interview I sat down with my dad to discuss frequently asked questions about living with diabetes.
How long have you had diabetes?
I have had diabetes for 12 years. I was diagnosed when I was 5 and am now 17, a junior in HS.
Have you had to quit sports because of your diagnosis?
No, I have not. Matter of fact, I play more sports.
I imagine you can only play for a short period of time before you have to stop. Is that true?
No, I keep playing until I want to stop. But, I do bring extra juice boxes and my blood meter to monitor my blood glucose levels.
Can you eat candy or foods with concentrated sugar?
Yes, I can. To maintain a diet with diabetes, I measure the amount of carbohydrates I ingest for meals and snacks and balance that against the insulin required to break down the sugar. However, while I can eat all foods any normal person can eat, it is important that you maintain a healthy diet with this disease.
How do you know if your blood sugar is high or low?
It is different with every person, but when I feel my blood sugar is high, I am quite thirsty and tired/sluggish. Therefore, I want to drink a lot of water to ensure I don't develop ketones. When I am low, I feel weak and dizzy, so I counter that with a juice box.
How often do you check your blood glucose levels? Does it hurt?
I check it a minimum of four times per day (before breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime) When active (playing sports) I will check it more.
When I was first diagnosed, I felt a little pinch. Now, there is no pain.
Do you use insulin syringes or an insulin pump?
I did use insulin syringes until I was about 15. Then, I switched to the pump. At first I was anxious about the insulin pump, because I knew the syringes so well, but I am now very happy with the pump.
Have you had any health issues related to the diabetes?
No, because I take my health and maintenance of the disease very seriously.
What can't you do with diabetes?
There is nothing that can hold you back as long as you respect the disease and the importance of good health.
How long have you had diabetes?
I have had diabetes for 12 years. I was diagnosed when I was 5 and am now 17, a junior in HS.
Have you had to quit sports because of your diagnosis?
No, I have not. Matter of fact, I play more sports.
I imagine you can only play for a short period of time before you have to stop. Is that true?
No, I keep playing until I want to stop. But, I do bring extra juice boxes and my blood meter to monitor my blood glucose levels.
Can you eat candy or foods with concentrated sugar?
Yes, I can. To maintain a diet with diabetes, I measure the amount of carbohydrates I ingest for meals and snacks and balance that against the insulin required to break down the sugar. However, while I can eat all foods any normal person can eat, it is important that you maintain a healthy diet with this disease.
How do you know if your blood sugar is high or low?
It is different with every person, but when I feel my blood sugar is high, I am quite thirsty and tired/sluggish. Therefore, I want to drink a lot of water to ensure I don't develop ketones. When I am low, I feel weak and dizzy, so I counter that with a juice box.
How often do you check your blood glucose levels? Does it hurt?
I check it a minimum of four times per day (before breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime) When active (playing sports) I will check it more.
When I was first diagnosed, I felt a little pinch. Now, there is no pain.
Do you use insulin syringes or an insulin pump?
I did use insulin syringes until I was about 15. Then, I switched to the pump. At first I was anxious about the insulin pump, because I knew the syringes so well, but I am now very happy with the pump.
Have you had any health issues related to the diabetes?
No, because I take my health and maintenance of the disease very seriously.
What can't you do with diabetes?
There is nothing that can hold you back as long as you respect the disease and the importance of good health.
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