By Beverleigh H Piepers
Nocturnal hypoglycemia defines the condition of low blood sugar levels during sleeping hours. A blood sugar value of less than 70 mg/dL or 3.8 mmol/L confirms the diagnosis. According to the John Hopkins POC-IT Center, forty-three percent of hypoglycemic episodes and fifty-five percent of severe hypoglycemia happen during sleep. Furthermore, more cases of severe hypoglycemia occurs in diabetics on regular insulin injection therapy compared to Type 2 diabetics on oral hypoglycemic medications.
More often than not, mild forms of nocturnal hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, occur without being recognized and mostly occur without apparent symptoms. However, severe forms of low blood sugar may have dangerous and even potentially lethal consequences.
What are the causes of nocturnal hypoglycemia?
* liver and kidney diseases. Diabetics with concomitant liver or kidney disease may have an increased risk for nocturnal hypoglycemia due to the slower elimination or clearance of their anti-diabetic drugs from their body. If you happen to have liver or kidney disease, the best idea is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your medications to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia from taking place
* the use of intermediate-acting insulin injection during supper-time
* excessive exercise in the evening hours just prior to going to bed
* unplanned alcohol drinking sessions during the evening prior to sleeping
* infectious disease
* skipping your evening meal
* long-acting anti-diabetic medications
* insulin injections combined with anti-diabetic medications
* a history of hypoglycemia
* advancing age
What are the usual signs and symptoms of nocturnal hypoglycemia?
* bad dreams
* excessive sweating during the night
* pallor
* an increased heart rate
* cold, clammy skin
* increased systolic blood pressure
* drowsiness
* seizures
* an altered breathing pattern
* irritable sleep
* excessive hunger upon waking
So, how do you manage nocturnal hypoglycemia?
According to the John Hopkins POC-IT Center the key to good management of nocturnal hypoglycemia is early recognition through blood sugar monitoring. If the diabetic is fully awake, the blood sugar level can quickly be brought back up with a high-carbohydrate snack, such as a couple of glucose tablets, 4 to 6 jelly beans or a glass of regular soft drink or juice.
What are a few tips to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia?
* regular self-monitoring of your blood sugar
* never skip a meal
* if you plan to drink alcoholic beverages before bedtime, be sure to check your blood sugar level before drinking, and again before going to bed
* have a bedside fast-acting sugar preparation in case of low blood sugar during the night
* avoid a high intake of fatty foods. Fatty foods can delay sugar absorption making a diabetic prone to the development of low blood sugar
* ask your doctor to instruct you about self-administered glucagon injection. This can help you in cases of severe forms of nocturnal hypoglycemia
Nocturnal hypoglycemia defines the condition of low blood sugar levels during sleeping hours. A blood sugar value of less than 70 mg/dL or 3.8 mmol/L confirms the diagnosis. According to the John Hopkins POC-IT Center, forty-three percent of hypoglycemic episodes and fifty-five percent of severe hypoglycemia happen during sleep. Furthermore, more cases of severe hypoglycemia occurs in diabetics on regular insulin injection therapy compared to Type 2 diabetics on oral hypoglycemic medications.
More often than not, mild forms of nocturnal hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, occur without being recognized and mostly occur without apparent symptoms. However, severe forms of low blood sugar may have dangerous and even potentially lethal consequences.
What are the causes of nocturnal hypoglycemia?
* liver and kidney diseases. Diabetics with concomitant liver or kidney disease may have an increased risk for nocturnal hypoglycemia due to the slower elimination or clearance of their anti-diabetic drugs from their body. If you happen to have liver or kidney disease, the best idea is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your medications to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia from taking place
* the use of intermediate-acting insulin injection during supper-time
* excessive exercise in the evening hours just prior to going to bed
* unplanned alcohol drinking sessions during the evening prior to sleeping
* infectious disease
* skipping your evening meal
* long-acting anti-diabetic medications
* insulin injections combined with anti-diabetic medications
* a history of hypoglycemia
* advancing age
What are the usual signs and symptoms of nocturnal hypoglycemia?
* bad dreams
* excessive sweating during the night
* pallor
* an increased heart rate
* cold, clammy skin
* increased systolic blood pressure
* drowsiness
* seizures
* an altered breathing pattern
* irritable sleep
* excessive hunger upon waking
So, how do you manage nocturnal hypoglycemia?
According to the John Hopkins POC-IT Center the key to good management of nocturnal hypoglycemia is early recognition through blood sugar monitoring. If the diabetic is fully awake, the blood sugar level can quickly be brought back up with a high-carbohydrate snack, such as a couple of glucose tablets, 4 to 6 jelly beans or a glass of regular soft drink or juice.
What are a few tips to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia?
* regular self-monitoring of your blood sugar
* never skip a meal
* if you plan to drink alcoholic beverages before bedtime, be sure to check your blood sugar level before drinking, and again before going to bed
* have a bedside fast-acting sugar preparation in case of low blood sugar during the night
* avoid a high intake of fatty foods. Fatty foods can delay sugar absorption making a diabetic prone to the development of low blood sugar
* ask your doctor to instruct you about self-administered glucagon injection. This can help you in cases of severe forms of nocturnal hypoglycemia
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