Blink Digital Magazine 4th Issue Blink digital Magazine 04 | Page 11

HEALTHAWARENESS

Blink Lifestyles

DIABETES:

W

e all hear about “sugar
diabetes” at one point
or the other in life.
Some of us have relatives living
with diabetes. Most people know
that there are two types, Type I
and II, and that one type needs
injections and the other does
not. And some say it means you
have too much sugar in the
blood, so why would you need
sugar?

===========

WHEN SUGAR
IS NEEDED.

generally doesn't drop so low that you are
unable to maintain your normal bodily
functions (breathing, staying awake and heart
beat). In a healthy adult, the human body has
measures in place that keep the sugar above
3.5mmol/l (below that is the acceptable level
for hypoglycaemia in a non-diabetic adult).
The body uses sugar stored in the liver,
muscles and fat cells for glycaemic control.
And when you feel too hungry, you can also
eat to keep the sugar levels acceptable.

High Risk Groups
In children, especially those who are still
dependant on mothers or caregivers, the risk
of hypoglycaemia is high. Obviously, because
they can't feed themselves at will. Also, their
developing bodies haven't perfected the sugar
storage system. A level below 2.6mmol/l is
considered hypoglycaemia.

Hypoglycaemia has also been showed
to cause a disturbance in the
cardiovascular system (cardiac
arrhythmias). Death can occur as a result
of cardiac arrhythmia.

What causes
hypoglycaemia in a
diabetic?
Commonly, increased exercise or doing
more chores for longer than usual and
decreased food intake are to blame.
With some patients, missing meals,
smaller meals than usual or taking meals
late are the culprits. Other causes
include inappropriate dosage of
medication, worsening organ failure
(renal or hepatic) and alcohol intake.
Some over the counter medication or
herbal products may also interfere with
glucose control and result in
hypoglycaemia.

The elderly, sickly and severely malnourished
and wasted are also prone to hypoglycaemia
due to multiple problems. Lack of mobility
and independence, and reduced glucose
(sugar) stores are some of the problems.

Hypoglycaemia
What I intend to do is not discuss this
general condition, but tackle the confusion in
my heading. I will look at a complication of
diabetes, Hypoglycaemia. Why, because it is
an emergency, often missed even at hospitals
and a cause of preventable deaths.

Who gets hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia (hypo- low; glyco- relating to
sugar; aemia- relating to something in the
blood) is when your blood sugar drops too
low. Unless you have medical conditions or a
serious deprivation of food, your blood sugar

Hypoglycaemia in diabetics
When it comes to diabetics, only those on
treatment are prone to hypoglycaemia. A
drop in glucose below 4mmol/l is considered
hypoglycaemia. Both injectable and oral
medication can lead to hypoglycaemia. The
worst time to get hypoglycaemia is in your
sleep.

Complications
Severe, persistently low glucose can lead to
permanent brain damage, neurological
damage and sudden death. This is why getting
hypoglycaemia in your sleep is the worst
because you might not wake up.

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BDM TALENT ISSUE #04

11