A Diabetic Hangover

It's not a very good way to start any day, in a semi-confused manner, but it's something that's an occupational hazard to diabetics.

It's just before six o'clock on a warm July morning, and alarms are ringing and radios are bursting into life, to make sure yours truly is awake and ready to be out of bed on time to carry out the daily chores assigned to everyone that has to get to work on time, such as washing, shaving, preparing a packed lunch for later and preparing the more immediate meal of breakfast.

But this morning is different, the mobile phone announces it is Thursday, an arm reaches out to the radio to stop the phone from creating this noise. Simple tasks become difficult assignments, a few moments pass before realising the phone is the cause of the annoying sound, not the radio.

Wait a moment, why am I feeling confused? Sometimes it takes a few moments before realisation of the situation, other times your thoughts wander and you are not sure exactly sure what is occurring. The true reality is that during the night your blood glucose levels have become rather low, due to the fact that being a diabetic your body is unable to automatically remedy the situation and cope with the high levels of insulin in your blood steam, that you injected before bedtime, stopping glucose being released into the bloodstream, which is at this point urgently needed.

Likewise your body can't automatically deal with high levels of glucose in the bloodstream, which in a healthy person would produce and release insulin, hence the need to inject insulin artificially. Eventually the time comes where realisation comes into play and after testing one's blood glucose levels with necessary blood glucose testing equipment, glucose tablets are taken to combat the problem.

Essential for all Diabetics, Blood Glucose Testing Equipment

Recovery after taking the glucose is normally quite swift. Unfortunately, on occasion the effects of the aforementioned low blood sugars or hypoglycaemia, to give it it's medical name can linger for several hours giving what, I believe, is referred to as 'A Diabetic Hangover', which in my case consists of a mild headache, a general lethargic feeling and generally finding it an effort to complete the tasks of the day. This is despite the fact that the blood glucose levels are at their correct level, as verified by the blood glucose tests.

So what is the cure for this diabetic hangover? My understanding of the cause of the lingering effect of the low sugars are not taking action to remedy the initial occurrence of the low glucose level soon enough, but how do you remedy something that you are not aware of until it's there attacking you. Unfortunately, you can't live your life continually testing blood sugar levels, one does have to go to sleep, one has to go to work and do all the other things that humans do. Take less insulin is another option, certainly a good idea and worth a try, but taking less insulin may cause too many occurrences of high glucose blood levels, which can cause long term health problems.

Glucose Tablets required after experiencing low blood sugars

A bit of catch 22 situation it would appear. I'm afraid however hard you try it is near to impossible to maintain a perfect balance at all times, and on occasions things are unfortunately going to go astray. The important thing to remember is that an occasional occurrence of low or high blood sugars happens to diabetics, it's when you have continually low or high blood sugar levels that you need to take action, either adjustment of insulin dosage, if you are confident to do so, or consultation with your doctor or other health professional.

I must point out that the above are my thoughts and experiences after being a diabetic since 1987. I am not a health professional, so any concerns you have about your diabetes or that of a relative or friend please consult a professional.

 

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