Fainting
What you need to know about Fainting in diabetes
If your blood sugar drops too low, you can have
a low blood sugar reaction, called hypoglycemia.
A low blood sugar reaction can make you feel
shaky, mixed up, unhappy, hungry, or tired. You may sweat
a lot or get a headache. Your legs may shake. If your blood
sugar drops lower, you can get very confused, sleepy, or irritable,and
you may finally faint or have a seizure.
Fainting in diabetes can be due to
Fasting,missing a meal or delaying a meal.
Taking too much insulin or even some oral drugs.
Exercising too much
Drinking excessive alcohol.
Sometimes, medicines you take for other health problems can
cause blood sugar to drop.
Fainting first -aid
If you have signs of fainting or feel any of the other signs
of low blood sugar, eat or drink something that has sugar
in it. like hard candy, sugar-sweetened soda, orange juice,
or a glass of milk.
Special tablets or gel made of glucose (a form of sugar)
can be used to treat low blood sugar. Always have some of
these items handy at home or with you when you go out in case
your blood sugar drops too low.
After treating a low blood sugar reaction, eat a small snack
like half a sandwich, a glass of milk, or some biscuits if
your next meal is more than 30 minutes away.
Fainting :The emergency
In case of a medical emergency, be sure that you carry medical
identification (a tag or card) that says you have diabetes
and lists the medicines you take. It should also give the
name and telephone number of your doctor. Tell your family,
friends, teachers, or other people you see often about the
signs of low blood sugar. Explain how to treat it. You may
need their help some day.
You can prevent most low blood sugar reactions by eating
your meals on time, taking your diabetes medicine, and testing
your blood sugar often.
At the doctors'
If you have type 1 diabetes (taking insulin)
Tell your doctor if you have low blood sugar reactions often,
especially if they happen at the same time of day or night.
Tell your doctor if you have passed out from low blood sugar
or if you ever needed someone's help.
Ask your doctor about "glucagon." Glucagon is a
medicine to raise blood sugar. If you pass out from low blood
sugar, someone should call "100/1066" emergency
and give you a glucagon injection.
If you DON'T USE insulin (type 2 diabetes)
Be sure to tell your doctor about other medicines you may
be taking.
If you take diabetes pills you can also have low blood sugar
reactions. The doctor may need to make a change in your medicine
or eating plan. (If you don't take pills or insulin, you don't
have to worry about low blood sugar reactions.)
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