This
condition leads to reactive hypoglycemia. Diseases: Liver and kidney disorders
can affect the process of blood sugar regulation. Severe infections can be one
of the major causes of low blood sugar. Tumors: Pancreas produces insulin and
so, pancreatic tumors are one of the main causes of hypoglycemia without
diabetes. Other Causes: Adrenal abnormality, congenital defects, and pituitary
disorders are some other causes. At times, a sudden drop may not even give out
any alarming signs, and the person may faint, have a seizure, and in severe
cases, may also go into a coma. Listed below are the possible symptoms one is
likely to experience. Blurred vision Feeling hungry Profuse sweating Feeling
panicky Shivering Rapid heartbeat Weakness and fatigue Headache Tingling
sensation Inability to concentrate Hypoglycemia Unawareness There are some
cases wherein one is unable to experience any symptoms of the decrease in blood
glucose levels. While normally, during an episode, a person tends to wake up
from sleep, people with hypoglycemia unawareness do not. This may be seen in
those who have had diabetes for a long time, or who usually have low blood
sugar levels in the body which has resulted in their inability to sense the
alarming symptoms when hypoglycemia occurs. Immediate Treatment Options It is
only under the guidance of a trusted healthcare provider, that a detailed
treatment plan can be established after determining the cause and type of
hypoglycemia one has. However, listed below are some immediate treatment
measures that can be taken when one experiences severe symptoms of low blood
sugar in the body.
Consume - A tablespoon of sugar or honey 3 to 4 glucose
tablets Half a cup of HL12 Diabetes any fruit juice or regular soda 5 to 6 pieces of hard candy
1 cup milk Constant monitoring of the glucose levels is a must to know if they
have been restored to normal. This should be done after 15 minutes of eating
the quick-fix foods. Another serving is recommended till the values are normal.
The glucose resulted from digestion of foods is absorbed in to the bloodstream
for distribution to all body parts. In a healthy person, this source of energy
is taken up by the body cells with the help of insulin hormone and is used.
Thus, insulin is directly responsible for maintaining blood sugar levels.
Previously, a diabetes condition characterized by high blood sugar is thought
to be an adult's disease. However, high blood sugar levels in children are also
diagnosed, but in a lower percentage as compared to adults. Blood Sugar Levels
in Children: An Overview With the availability of easy-to-use testing devices,
blood sugar test can be performed at home. Too low or too high concentration of
glucose in the blood is associated with negative effects to the body. In
children who have a risk for diabetes or who are already diagnosed with this
condition, blood glucose test is recommended four times a day. The expected
blood test timings are early morning (before breakfast), before lunch, before
dinner and after dinner. Detailed information about blood sugar levels in
children is discussed below: Normal Blood Sugar Levels So, what are normal
blood sugar levels in children without diabetes? Well! The normal fasting blood
sugar levels in children is in the range of 70-100 mg/dL (milligram of sugar in
deciliter of blood plasma). For children under 6, targeted plasma blood glucose
range is considered to be 100-180 mg/dL before meals, while bedtime reading is
between110-200 mg/dL.
For school going children with age 6-12 years, the normal
blood sugar levels before meal is in the range of 90-180 mg/dL and bedtime
reading is between100-180 mg/dL. Low Blood Sugar Levels Medically, the
condition of low glucose levels in the bloodstream is called hypoglycemia. It
is quite common in young children and a short episode is not dangerous.
However, if the blood sugar reading is below 70 mg/dL consistently, it is a
medical concern. Symptoms of low glucose levels in children are rapid
heartbeats, hunger, sweating, dizziness, irritability and mood swings among
other signs. Frequent bouts of hypoglycemia in children should not be
neglected, as it can be an indication of metabolic disorder, endocrine problem,
liver disease or genetic diseases. High Blood Sugar Levels If the blood glucose
levels in children fall between 200-350 mg/dL consistently, then it is
considered as a high reading. The notable diabetes symptoms in children are
tiredness, increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, slow
wound healing, blurred vision and body pain. As per statistical data, about 2
percent of people who are below 20 years have type 1 diabetes. Considering
this, type 1 diabetes is also referred to as juvenile diabetes. Children who
are born to diabetic parents or those who have a familial history for diabetes are
at a higher risk of developing this medical condition than others. Diagnosis of
abnormal blood sugar levels in children is imperative for combating this
condition without treatment medications.
The first approach for treatment of
hypoglycemia and diabetes in children is making dietary changes. Along with
this, the doctor will suggest safe exercises, which will help in maintaining
normal sugar concentration in the bloodstream. In case, there are no
improvement signs, insulin and diabetes treatment medicine are recommended as
per the condition of the child. Monitoring blood sugar levels in children is a
practical step towards effective treatment for hypoglycemia and also,
hyperglycemia. Every responsible parent should make a point to examine their
child's glucose concentration regularly, as directed by the concerned
physician. Based on the readings, it is easy to determine whether diabetes
medication and diet are effective for long-term control over diabetes or not.
Diabetes is a medical condition that is characterized by elevated blood sugar
levels. It is categorized into type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes
occurs due to the body's inability to produce insulin, which is a hormone
produced by pancreas. Insulin regulates the level of sugar in the bloodstream
by allowing sugar to enter the tissues. In people affected by type 2 diabetes,
the body does produce some insulin, but is not able to utilize it. Therefore,
it becomes essential to monitor and regulate the blood sugar levels by drug
therapy and lifestyle changes. Diabetics have to make sure that they cut down
on the intake of food items that are rich in carbohydrates. It is advised to
consume carbohydrates or food items that have a low glycemic index. These are
foods that release glucose more slowly and steadily, thereby lowering the
chances of a sudden rise in postprandial (after meal) blood sugar readings.
Diabetics should be extremely cautious about their diet.
Every meal should
contain food items that are rich in fiber, and the carbohydrate intake must be
monitored. Starting the day with a diabetes-friendly cereal would be a wise
thing to do, but make sure that the cereal is high in fiber and low in sugar.
Cereals for People Affected by Diabetes There's no dearth of healthy breakfast
options for diabetics, one of them being cereals. However, make sure that you
take a good look at the nutritional information given on the package. Remember
that taking cereals made with refined grains or those with added sugars would
defeat the purpose. Here are some of the types of cereals that can be taken by
diabetics. Whole Grain Cereal Whole grains or unrefined grains contain bran
(outer layer that is rich in fiber), endosperm (starchy part that is the source
of energy), and germ (nutrient-rich inner part). The process of milling removes
the bran and the germ. This is the reason whole grains are far more nutritious
than the refined grains. Starting the day with a whole grain cereal breakfast
with no added sugars is certainly a healthy breakfast option for diabetics. To
add to that, consumption of whole grain cereals is more likely to create a
feeling of fullness. Hot Cereals Oatmeal (porridge that is made of rolled oats)
is another wholesome breakfast option for diabetics. It can be cooked in water
or plain milk. However, diabetics should refrain from adding sugar. While skim
milk can be used, fresh or dried fruits can be added for improving the flavor.
While buying hot cereals, keep in mind that you must buy cereals which are
unsweetened. Bran Cereals Due to their high fiber content, consumption of bran
cereals helps to improve digestive health.
These fulfill the body's daily
requirement for fiber. If your diet doesn't provide you with enough dietary
fiber, you can go for bran cereal. Bran cereals with less sugar content will
certainly work well for diabetics. Tips for Choosing the Right Cereal Since the
market is flooded with so many brands that offer different types of cereals,
choosing a cereal can be a difficult task. Here's what you need to do: ➞
Always read the nutritional facts label to get an idea on the amount of fiber,
fat, carbohydrates,
sugar, calories, etc., in one serving. ➞
Buy whole grain cereals or bran cereals, as these are rich in dietary fiber. ➞
Diabetics need to closely look at the amount of sugar in one serving. As per
the recommendations of the U. S. Government's Dietary Reference
Intakes, added sugars should not exceed 25% of total calories. ➞
Don't take cereals that contain frosting, chocolate, or any other ingredients
that add extra calories, carbohydrates, and unhealthy fat. Buy plain oatmeal or
the original versions of a
cereal. ➞ Cereals that show milled
corn, cornmeal, wheat flour, or rice in the list of ingredients, might be a
mixture of whole and refined grains. It is best to opt for bran cereals and
whole grain cereals. ➞
According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetics should eat cereals with 3 g or
more of dietary fiber and 6 g or less of total sugar.
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