Diabetes: when to call my health care provider
Monitoring your blood sugar, maintaining a healthy diet, getting physical activity, following your treatment plan, and checking your feet are all important steps in taking care of your diabetes. But did you know that taking care of your diabetes also includes knowing when to call your physician or primary health care provider or seek medical help?
You should contact your health care team if these 2 situations occur frequently:
1. When you experience low blood sugar
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
- blood sugar less than 4.0 mmol/L
- hunger
- shakiness
- nervousness
- sweating
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- sleepiness
- difficulty speaking
- anxiety
- weakness
- inability to concentrate
Be sure that you, your family, friends, and coworkers learn to recognize these symptoms and spot the signs of hypoglycemia. If you begin to experience these symptoms, follow your diabetes management plan as recommended by your physician or primary health care provider (e.g., some people are told to eat something that contains a certain amount of sugar). Hypoglycemia can be treated, so be sure to ask your health care provider what you should do when your blood sugar goes too low.
It's important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- confusion and disorientation
- seizures
- severe changes in behaviour
- unconsciousness or coma
Be sure that your family, friends, and coworkers learn to spot the signs of hypoglycemia... it just might save your life!
2. When you experience high blood sugar
Symptoms of high blood sugar can include:
- being very thirsty
- blurred vision
- weakness
- needing to urinate often
- sleepiness
Be sure that you, your family, friends, and coworkers learn to recognize these symptoms and spot the signs of hyperglycemia. If you begin to experience these symptoms, follow your diabetes management plan as recommended by your physician or primary health care provider (e.g., some people are told to increase their insulin dose or make adjustments to their medications). Hyperglycemia can be treated, so be sure to ask your health care provider what you should do when your blood sugar goes too high.
Untreated hyperglycemia may lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, which develops when your body doesn't have enough insulin. Not having enough insulin means your body can't use the sugar in your blood for energy. Instead, your body begins to break down fat for energy.
Breaking down fat produces ketones. Large amounts of ketones are not good for your body as they are acidic. A buildup of ketones in your blood leads to ketoacidosis and can be life-threatening. You should test your blood for ketones if your blood sugar levels go above 14 mmol/L.
It's important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- fruity-smelling breath
- nausea and vomiting
- severe dry mouth
- confusion
- shortness of breath
- coma
Be sure that your family, friends, and coworkers learn to spot the signs of hyperglycemia... it just might save your life!
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Diabetes-Self-Care
