Did you know hypoglycemia can actually be fatal? Yes...it can cause accidents, injuries and even put one into a coma, all of which could end in death. Hypoglycemia is also a risk factor for heart attacks, falls, fractures and even dementia!
When I was well into my second pregnancy, I began to have episodes of light headedness, being shaky, a cold clammy feeling, irritable, and extremely hungry.
I can remember sitting in the doctors office feeling as though I was about to pass out. It was around Halloween, so they had candy at the front desk for people to take. Someone noticed how pale I all of the sudden got, and gave me one of those candies and some water. It helped a little, me until I could get something more healthy to eat.
I did mention these episodes to the doctor, but was basically told to make sure to eat more regularly. This is typical for pregnant women to go through, and that was pretty much all that was said.
After I gave birth, I continued to have these experiences. I noticed it was becoming more and more common, and usually when I was due to have my next meal.
I finally mentioned it to my doctor again, and after a few tests and communication, he told me I had hypoglycemia. I didn't know much, except that it was the opposite of diabetes.
Diabetes is when your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. This is your main source of energy and comes from the food we eat. Insulin is a hormone made in our pancreas and helps the glucose from food to get into our cells for energy.
Hypoglycemia is quite the opposite...caused by a very low level of glucose or blood sugar. It can be a precursor to diabetes....and that made me very nervous. The doctor informed me that is not necessarily true...which was a relief, but still a little concerning.
So...what do do about it?
Throughout the years I have had these hypoglycemic episodes. I was usually out and about with my kids. I would start to feel those cold sweats, shakiness, weakens and headache. I remembered the little bit of candy that made me feel better, so I would grab a Snickers candy bar until I could get me something more healthy. I found that something with a lot of protein was the best, like a hamburger I could grab real quick from Burger King or some other place close. I mentioned this to the doctor and he told me that was the worse thing I could have done (the candy bar).
The doctor went on to tell me, that even though I don't have diabetes, I could still go into a diabetic coma, and that sugar is the worse thing for me. The hamburger was probably what saved me each time.
He then proceeded to give me a special diet to follow. Boy, was it ever a lot of food!!!!! He told me I should be eating three small meals a day and two to three snacks...spreading everything out through the day. Things like eggs, meats, green veggies were on the menu. It was a nice healthy diet...something we ALL need to be eating even if we don't have blood sugar issues.
Growing up, I never knew anyone with diabetes. Today, I know quite a few! Over the last 30 or so years, diabetes has been on the rise.
Why is that?
It all has to do with our lifestyle. We are more sedentary, and we eat horribly. Sadly, it is more expensive to eat healthy, at least at the grocery store level. If you think about it, paying more for a healthy diet, will save you money in the end. With less doctor's visits and medication, that is where the savings comes in. So, why not spend the money for healthier food, instead of spending it on medical bills.
Educate yourself! We live in a world where we can Google just about everything. Why not educate yourself and be more aware of diabetes and hypoglycemia and prevent yourself and your family from these horrible conditions.
Did you know, as a diabetic, you can go blind? You can have issues with your feet, even so bad that you could loose them? Heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and nerve damage are other things that can arise, so it is important to try to avoid diabetes.
I want to bring out more awareness of diabetes and hypoglycemia, and the complications that can arise from them. More awareness as to how to avoid, or, if you have been diagnosed, how to live a healthy life with it.
