Hyperglycemia is a state of high blood sugar, which when prolonged can lead to coma and fatality. The subject will be very tired and unwell at the stages leading up to coma, and coma is by no means inevitable if treated. Type 1 and type 2 diabetics frequently suffer from and are recovering from hyperglycemia. This causes health complications.

Hypoglycemia is a state of low blood sugar affecting type 1 diabetics, the subject will be weak and suffer flu-like symptoms, which include blurred vision, sweating, shakiness, tiredness, fatigue. Hypoglycemia can also be fatal. A glucagon pen can be stored in the fridge and used for fast recovery from a severe hypo. If someone is unconscious call for an ambulance immediately. Otherwise quick-acting sugars such as fruit juice are very effective. Type 1 diabetics should carry hypo treatment with them at all times as well as their blood sugar testing kit and insulin.

It is important to know which condition a type 1 diabetic is in before attempting to treat them, as giving a hypoglycemic diabetic sugar or carbohydrate is very serious and can be fatal, as can not giving a hyperglycemic diabetic sugar. Always consult a health professional immediately.

HOW TO EVEN OUT BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL

I am a very sensitive type 1 diabetic, sensitive to carbs and to insulin and my blood sugar very easily raises and so I struggle with extreme variations in my blood sugar, which is damaging to my health and which I battle to control everyday. The best way I can do this is by eating a diet low in carbohydrate and making sure that the carbs I do eat are complex and slow-releasing and avoiding sugar completely. Natural sugars such as agave have a low impact on blood sugar levels and are far healthier than refined sugars. Eating a whole food low GI/ GL diet of alkaline and anti-inflammatory foods helps to counteract the damaging effects of variations in blood sugar, and also to prevent and even heal type 2 diabetes. This basically means enjoying foods as close to their natural state as possible, avoiding refined and processed foods and enjoying fresh and whole grain produce. Food and lifestyle are central to living healthily as a diabetic.

embrace a whole food diet for optimal health

Exercise is also important for blood sugar control, though this is more complex for type 1 diabetics as it can raise or lower their blood sugar levels significantly and must be carefully managed. For a type 1 diabetic exercise is as important as diet in increasing their insulin sensitivity.

For a type 1 diabetic an insulin pump gives you the greatest control over blood sugar levels. In The UK it availability varies area to area, and I am unable to have one at present. Consult your diabetes team and if you haven’t already go on DAPHNE course for advanced blood sugar control via carbohydrate counting, which is essential to manage your diabetes effectively.