Hopefully, someday soon, science and medicine will catch up with what millions have known for decades. Read about the intriguing history of hypoglycemia here.

Patients are beginning to realize that the medications they are on are not working or causing reactions that are more harmful than the disorder itself.

Consequently, they are seeking other alternatives. However, patients must be cautious and informed before making any decision that affects their health, particularly choosing a health professional that will guide them on the road to wellness.

The HSF has been very fortunate to work with a group of dedicated doctors that are brave enough to blend orthodox medicine with new and innovative treatments…real trail blazers in medicine.

Our talented advisors include: Anne Childers, MD psychiatrist connecting metabolic and mental health , Julia Ross, MA author of three books on the food mood connection , Joan Ifland, PhD leading expert on processed food addiction , Robert Lustig, MD world renown pediatric neuroendocrinologist , Keith Berkowitz, MD leading expert on reactive hypoglycemia and metabolic disease , Aseem Malhotra, MD UK Cardiologist who advocates low carb diets and more.

These amazing experts bring diverse perspectives on nutrition to the HSF that shatter the old and misleading paradigms of nutrition which have led us into the pandemic of metabolic disease that is consuming the planet and our health. Rarely is a child born with depression, mood swings, irritability, poor concentration, erratic behavior or suicidal thoughts.

There is no doubt that we are profoundly affected by what we eat…the food that we consume affects every aspect of our lives, and our children are suffering the most. More critical is that some infants are already being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Children learn from what they see and hear from other family members — healing starts in the home as well as in the classroom. Can I die from hypoglycemia? I am 17 years old. I believe I am hypoglycemic. What should I do? It is clear to me that the kids of today want their parents to know when they are sick.

The emotions kids feel are intensified because they are young, confused and scared. They want their grownups to listen, understand, be sympathetic, and lead the way…Mom and Pop, Grandma and Grandpa…and everyone else they put their trust in.

One of the shocking facts I discovered in was when I found out the direct correlation between hypoglycemia and alcoholism. Our HSF Medical Director at the time, Dr. Douglas M. Baird, made a statement while addressing our audience at one of our monthly meetings.

Not only the number but the age…children as young as 2 and 3 year olds. Lastly, the HSF has conducted ongoing Hypoglycemia Questionnaires for years. What was the most startling conclusion of the questionnaire? The most important result to me was what we learned about reactive hypoglycemia preceding the development of type 2 diabetes.

Two-thirds of respondents who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes reported they experienced hypoglycemia before their diabetes diagnosis.

I believe the same metabolic dysfunction that presents as reactive hypoglycemia now can develop into insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes later, if diet is not modified.

That was always my hunch and my greatest fear. The first and foremost question is how many have it? Well, that depends on which book you read and what the author believes. According to Anita Flegg, author of Hypoglycemia; The Other Sugar Disease. That means that there are at least 80 million people living and working at much less than optimal productivity and creativity.

Reactive hypoglycemia, the kind that the HSF focuses on, has never been evaluated in randomized control trials. In , the American Medical Association AMA awarded Dr.

Seale Harris its highest honor for the research that led to the discovery of hypoglycemia. In the late s and early s,hypoglycemia was written up in a large number of lay publications. The disease suddenly became trendy.

It was used as a way to explain some of the worst ills of humanity with little or no scientific backing, and a number of people proclaimed themselves to be hypoglycemics without bothering to consult a doctor or get a glucose tolerance test. The backlash in the medical establishment was swift.

Although hypoglycemia is one of the most confusing, complicated, misunderstood and too often misdiagnosed conditions, it is definitely real…not just a fad disease. Just go to our Facebook page and join our closed HSF Support Group — there you can read and feel what these folks coping with hypoglycemia are going through.

Psychological coaching is grounded in the art and science of psychology and is in many ways very similar to traditional psychotherapy. They both utilize knowledge of human behavior, motivation, behavioral change, and interactive techniques in order to help a client move from where they are to an improved state of being.

The differences between psychological coaching and traditional psychotherapy are related to their goals, focus, and perspective. Traditional psychotherapy seeks to diagnose and treat emotional and behavioral conditions, with the therapist serving as "expert" in support of the client.

Unfortunately, many have considered the pursuit of traditional psychotherapy to be stigmatizing, in part because of this perspective of the client being "broken" and in need of repair. Psychological coaching offers a different point of view.

The coaching psychologist is more likely focused on developing a collaborative relationship, with the client in the "driver seat", with the perspective that the client is creative, whole, and resourceful. The clients' capacity for wellness and healing is assumed, encouraging them to move more quickly and directly through obstacles to their happiness, success, and life satisfaction.

As a Coaching Psychologist, my goal is to support you in creating awareness so that you can access your own skills and inner resources in order to manage the challenges you face now and into the future. While our work together may touch on past traumas and psychiatric concerns, they will be addressed from the perspective of your strengths, rather than with a focus on ill-ness or disability.

How can you prevent low blood sugar? Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Learning About Low Blood Sugar Hypoglycemia in Diabetes. What is low blood sugar hypoglycemia? If your blood sugar level drops below 4.

You may have a fast heartbeat or blurry vision. If your blood sugar level continues to drop, your behaviour may change. You may feel more irritable. You may find it hard to concentrate or talk. And you may feel unsteady when you stand or walk.

You may become too weak or confused to eat something with sugar to raise your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar level drops very low usually below 2. Or you may have a seizure or stroke.

If you have symptoms of severe low blood sugar, you need to get medical care right away. Here are examples of quick-sugar foods that have 15 grams of carbohydrate: 3 to 4 glucose tablets. Hard candy such as 6 Life Savers If you have problems with severe low blood sugar, or are unable to swallow, someone else may have to give you a shot of glucagon.

Follow your treatment plan. Take your insulin or other diabetes medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed it. Talk with your doctor if you're having low blood sugar often. Your medicine may need to be adjusted if it's causing your low blood sugar.

Check your blood sugar levels often. This helps you find early changes before an emergency happens. Keep glucose tablets or solution or a quick-sugar food with you in case your blood sugar level drops low.

Eat small meals more often so that you don't get too hungry between meals. Don't skip meals. Balance extra exercise with eating more.

Check your blood sugar and learn how it changes after exercise. If your blood sugar stays at a normal level, you may not need to eat after you exercise. Limit how much alcohol you drink. Alcohol can make low blood sugar go even lower. Don't drink alcohol if you have problems recognizing the early signs of low blood sugar.

Keep a diary of your symptoms. This helps you learn when changes in your body may signal low blood sugar. And keep track of how often you have low blood sugar, including when you last ate and what you ate.

This will help you learn what causes your blood sugar to drop. Learn about diabetes and low blood sugar. Support groups or a diabetes education centre can help you understand how medicines, diet, and exercise affect your blood sugar levels.

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Epidemiology of severe hypoglycemia in the diabetes control and complications trial. Am J Med ;—9. Davis EA, Keating B, Byrne GC, et al. Hypoglycemia: Incidence and clinical predictors in a large population-based sample of children and adolescents with IDDM.

Diabetes Care ;—5. Egger M, Davey Smith G, Stettler C, et al. Risk of adverse effects of intensified treatment in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis. Diabet Med ;— Gold AE, MacLeod KM, Frier BM. Frequency of severe hypoglycemia in patients with type I diabetes with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia.

Mokan M, Mitrakou A, Veneman T, et al. Hypoglycemia unawareness in IDDM. Meyer C, Grossmann R, Mitrakou A, et al. Effects of autonomic neuropathy on counterregulation and awareness of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetic patients.

Diabetes Care ;—6. Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. Effect of intensive diabetes treatment on the development and progression of long-term complications in adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: Diabetes Control and Complications Trial.

J Pediatr ;— Miller ME, Bonds DE, Gerstein HC, et al. The effects of baseline characteristics, glycaemia treatment approach, and glycated haemoglobin concentration on the risk of severe hypoglycaemia: Post hoc epidemiological analysis of the ACCORD study. BMJ ;b de Galan BE, Zoungas S, Chalmers J, et al.

Cognitive function and risks of cardiovascular disease and hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes: The Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation ADVANCE trial. Sarkar U, Karter AJ, Liu JY, et al. Hypoglycemia is more common among type 2 diabetes patients with limited health literacy: The Diabetes Study of Northern California DISTANCE.

J Gen Intern Med ;—8. Seligman HK, Davis TC, Schillinger D, et al. Food insecurity is associated with hypoglycemia and poor diabetes self-management in a low-income sample with diabetes.

J Health Care Poor Underserved ;— Davis TM, Brown SG, Jacobs IG, et al. Determinants of severe hypoglycemia complicating type 2 diabetes: The Fremantle diabetes study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab ;—7. Schopman JE, Geddes J, Frier BM. Prevalence of impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia and frequency of hypoglycaemia in insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Res Clin Pract ;—8. Cryer PE. Banting lecture. Hypoglycemia: The limiting factor in the management of IDDM. Daneman D, Frank M, Perlman K, et al. Severe hypoglycemia in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: Frequency and predisposing factors.

J Pediatr ;—5. Berlin I, Sachon CI, Grimaldi A. Identification of factors associated with impaired hypoglycaemia awareness in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes Metab ;— Schultes B, Jauch-Chara K, Gais S, et al. Defective awakening response to nocturnal hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. PLoS Med ;4:e Porter PA, Byrne G, Stick S, et al.

Nocturnal hypoglycaemia and sleep disturbances in young teenagers with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Arch Dis Child ;—3. Gale EA, Tattersall RB. Unrecognised nocturnal hypoglycaemia in insulintreated diabetics.

Lancet ;— Beregszàszi M, Tubiana-Rufi N, Benali K, et al. Nocturnal hypoglycemia in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: Prevalence and risk factors. Vervoort G, Goldschmidt HM, van Doorn LG. Diabet Med ;—9. Ovalle F, Fanelli CG, Paramore DS, et al.

Brief twice-weekly episodes of hypoglycemia reduce detection of clinical hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes ;—9. Fanelli CG, Epifano L, Rambotti AM, et al. Meticulous prevention of hypoglycemia normalizes the glycemic thresholds and magnitude of most of neuroendocrine responses to, symptoms of, and cognitive function during hypoglycemia in intensively treated patients with short-term IDDM.

Dagogo-Jack S, Rattarasarn C, Cryer PE. Reversal of hypoglycemia unawareness, but not defective glucose counterregulation, in IDDM. Fanelli C, Pampanelli S, Epifano L, et al. Long-term recovery from unawareness, deficient counterregulation and lack of cognitive dysfunction during hypoglycaemia, following institution of rational, intensive insulin therapy in IDDM.

Dagogo-Jack S, Fanelli CG, Cryer PE. Durable reversal of hypoglycemia unawareness in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care ;—7. Davis M, Mellman M, Friedman S, et al. Recovery of epinephrine response but not hypoglycemic symptomthreshold after intensive therapy in type 1 diabetes.

Am J Med ;— Liu D, McManus RM, Ryan EA. Improved counter-regulatory hormonal and symptomatic responses to hypoglycemia in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus after 3 months of less strict glycemic control.

Clin Invest Med ;— Lingenfelser T, Buettner U, Martin J, et al. Improvement of impaired counterregulatory hormone response and symptom perception by short-term avoidance of hypoglycemia in IDDM. Kinsley BT,Weinger K, Bajaj M, et al. Blood glucose awareness training and epinephrine responses to hypoglycemia during intensive treatment in type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes Care ;—8. Schachinger H, Hegar K, Hermanns N, et al. Randomized controlled clinical trial of Blood Glucose Awareness Training BGAT III in Switzerland and Germany.

J Behav Med ;— Yeoh E, Choudhary P, Nwokolo M, et al. Interventions that restore awareness of hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes: A systematic review and metaanalysis. van Dellen D, Worthington J, Mitu-Pretorian OM, et al. Mortality in diabetes: Pancreas transplantation is associated with significant survival benefit.

Nephrol Dial Transplant ;— Ly TT, Nicholas JA, Retterath A, et al. Effect of sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy and automated insulin suspension vs standard insulin pump therapy on hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial.

JAMA ;—7. Little SA, Leelarathna L,Walkinshaw E, et al. Recovery of hypoglycemia awareness in long-standing type 1 diabetes: A multicenter 2 x 2 factorial randomized controlled trial comparing insulin pump with multiple daily injections and continuous with conventional glucose self-monitoring HypoCOMPaSS.

Bergenstal RM, Klonoff DC, Garg SK, et al. Threshold-based insulin-pump interruption for reduction of hypoglycemia. N Engl J Med ;— van Beers CAJ, DeVries JH, Kleijer SJ, et al. Continuous glucose monitoring for patients with type 1 diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia IN CONTROL : A randomised, open-label, crossover trial.

Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol ;— Hering BJ, Clarke WR, Bridges ND, et al. Phase 3 trial of transplantation of human islets in type 1 diabetes complicated by severe hypoglycemia. Rickels MR. Recovery of endocrine function after islet and pancreas transplantation. Curr Diab Rep ;— Moassesfar S, Masharani U, Frassetto LA, et al.

A comparative analysis of the safety, efficacy, and cost of islet versus pancreas transplantation in nonuremic patients with type 1 diabetes. Am J Transplant ;— Kendall DM, Rooney DP, Smets YF, et al. Pancreas transplantation restores epinephrine response and symptom recognition during hypoglycemia in patients with long-standing type I diabetes and autonomic neuropathy.

Read the whole story here. Sadly, what happened to me four decades ago is still happening today. I receive almost emails a month requesting information, support, hope and encouragement on how to deal with hypoglycemia on a daily basis.

In all my years of educating and advocating for people with hypoglycemia, they in turn, have educated and healed me. They have told me what they need and want, and above all what they were not getting.

I have learned so much about their pitfalls, anxieties and fears. I constantly emphasize that education and preparation are crucial to controlling hypoglycemia symptoms.

Many seek answers on social media. Too much is at stake here… our long-term health and well-being. A whole new paradigm is emerging outside of mainstream medicine. Our website also contains a list of medical advisors; organizations and foundations that have referral listings…this should not be overlooked.

Healing of any kind takes time…it involves education, commitment and then loving oneself enough to take the final step: application. The question remains…are you ready for the journey? However, it is my dream to bring hypoglycemia to the forefront of medicine where it belongs.

Hypoglycemia is real…it is not a fad disease. Hopefully, someday soon, science and medicine will catch up with what millions have known for decades. Read about the intriguing history of hypoglycemia here.

Patients are beginning to realize that the medications they are on are not working or causing reactions that are more harmful than the disorder itself. Consequently, they are seeking other alternatives. However, patients must be cautious and informed before making any decision that affects their health, particularly choosing a health professional that will guide them on the road to wellness.

The HSF has been very fortunate to work with a group of dedicated doctors that are brave enough to blend orthodox medicine with new and innovative treatments…real trail blazers in medicine. Our talented advisors include: Anne Childers, MD psychiatrist connecting metabolic and mental health , Julia Ross, MA author of three books on the food mood connection , Joan Ifland, PhD leading expert on processed food addiction , Robert Lustig, MD world renown pediatric neuroendocrinologist , Keith Berkowitz, MD leading expert on reactive hypoglycemia and metabolic disease , Aseem Malhotra, MD UK Cardiologist who advocates low carb diets and more.

These amazing experts bring diverse perspectives on nutrition to the HSF that shatter the old and misleading paradigms of nutrition which have led us into the pandemic of metabolic disease that is consuming the planet and our health.

Rarely is a child born with depression, mood swings, irritability, poor concentration, erratic behavior or suicidal thoughts. There is no doubt that we are profoundly affected by what we eat…the food that we consume affects every aspect of our lives, and our children are suffering the most.

More critical is that some infants are already being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Children learn from what they see and hear from other family members — healing starts in the home as well as in the classroom. Can I die from hypoglycemia? I am 17 years old. I believe I am hypoglycemic.

What should I do? It is clear to me that the kids of today want their parents to know when they are sick. The emotions kids feel are intensified because they are young, confused and scared. They want their grownups to listen, understand, be sympathetic, and lead the way…Mom and Pop, Grandma and Grandpa…and everyone else they put their trust in.

One of the shocking facts I discovered in was when I found out the direct correlation between hypoglycemia and alcoholism.

Heller , Helen A. Rogers , Nicole De Zoysa , Stephanie Amiel , for the U. NIHR DAFNE Study Group; Experiences, Views, and Support Needs of Family Members of People With Hypoglycemia Unawareness: Interview Study.

Diabetes Care 1 January ; 37 1 : — People with HU are often reliant on family to detect hypoglycemia and treat severe episodes. This study employed an exploratory, qualitative design comprising in-depth interviews with 24 adult family members of persons with type 1 diabetes and HU.

Family members described restricting their lives so that they could help the person with HU detect and treat hypoglycemia. Family members also reported feeling anxious and worried about the safety of the person with HU, particularly when they were left unsupervised.

These concerns were often precipitated by traumatic events, such as discovering the person with HU in a coma. Family members could neglect their own health and well-being to care for the person with HU and resentment could build up over time.

Family members highlighted extensive, unmet needs for information and emotional support; however, some struggled to recognize and accept their own need for help.

Raising awareness among health care professionals is essential, and developing proactive support for family should be considered.

Hypoglycemia unawareness HU is a term used to describe the phenomenon whereby people with diabetes no longer experience the symptoms that warn them of hypoglycemia 1.

It carries a sixfold increase in risk of severe hypoglycemia episodes, which are associated with confusion, coma, and seizure and which individuals are unable to self-treat 2. Neuroimaging studies suggest that HU may be associated with altered activation in brain regions involved in reward responses during hypoglycemia 4 , 5 , which might impede treatment adherence in those affected by the condition 6.

Such treatment barriers have been observed in an interview study with adults with type 1 diabetes affected by HU 7. Despite experiencing frightening, disabling, socially embarrassing, and dangerous episodes of severe hypoglycemia, more than half of those interviewed expressed a lack of concern and poor motivation to adopt hypoglycemia avoidance strategies.

Participants also highlighted their dependence on family members to minimize the risks and effects of hypoglycemia 7. While the role of family members in moderating and normalizing the disruptive effects of illness is well recognized clinically 8 and research suggests that the quality of a marital relationship can affect diabetes adaptation 9 , very little is known about the experiences and support needs of family caregivers of people who have HU.

Recent qualitative work undertaken with spouses of people with type 1 diabetes suggests that anxiety about hypoglycemia can be a source of partner and marital distress 10 ; however, this study did not focus on caregiver issues relating to HU.

Quantitative work undertaken with spouses of people with type 1 diabetes found increased fear of hypoglycemia and marital conflict about diabetes among those recently exposed to severe hypoglycemia, leading the authors to recommend that increased empirical and clinical attention be given to family members Qualitative methods are recommended when little is known about the area of investigation, as they allow findings and themes to emerge from the data rather than testing predetermined hypotheses Interviews, informed by topic guides, were used to enable the discussion to stay relevant to the study aims while allowing participants to raise issues they perceived as salient.

Data collection and analysis took place simultaneously, in line with the principles of grounded theory research 13 , enabling issues identified in the early interviews to inform the areas explored in later ones.

Family members were recruited via people with type 1 diabetes who had been approached to participate in a qualitative investigation of a pilot clinical intervention the DAFNE-HART study for people with HU or recurrent severe hypoglycemia conducted in two secondary care diabetes centers in the U.

Participants were asked if they could identify a partner or other adult family member who helped them detect and manage hypoglycemia. Those who identified an eligible person were given a study information pack, which included an opt-in form.

Family members who returned their opt-in forms were contacted to arrange an interview. Interviews averaged an hour and were digitally audio recorded and transcribed in full for in-depth analysis. Recruitment stopped when no new findings were identified in new data collected.

Interviews were conducted in July and August Two experienced qualitative researchers J. and D. undertook data analysis. first examined the data independently and wrote separate reports before meeting to compare interpretations and reach agreement on key findings. Once agreement had been achieved, a coding framework was developed to capture key themes, and each coded theme was subjected to further analysis to identify subthemes and illustrative quotes.

Of 30 family members approached, 24 opted into the study, and all were interviewed. The final sample comprised 18 partners, 3 parents, and 3 adult children.

Demographic characteristics of the sample are presented in Table 1. As a consequence, most family members had curtailed their own activities and lifestyles. As family members also observed, pressures to curtail activities could also come from the person with HU, due to them feeling vulnerable and scared when left unsupervised.

Concern about the safety of the person with HU was an additional reason presented by family members for restricting and changing their own lifestyles.

Hence, to help address their worries and concerns, family members described using systems such as frequent texting or making regular phone calls when the person with HU was left or went out alone e. Hence, even when they were physically remote from the person with HU, family members reported little respite from their supervisory roles and responsibilities.

Family members also talked at length about the physical and emotional difficulties they could encounter when they attempted to help the person with hypoglycemia treatment, due to cognitive changes arising from low blood glucose levels.

This included a woman in her 70s who described her sense of physical and emotional vulnerability when her otherwise kind and gentle husband experienced mood and behavioral changes after his blood glucose levels started to go low:. As well as worrying about safety issues, family members also described the upset and distress that could result from witnessing the audio and visual changes that could accompany severe hypoglycemia.

Family members described periods of extreme exhaustion, particularly when they had to deal with regular occurrences of nocturnal hypoglycemia.

Similarly, R17, whose adult daughter still lived at home, described always keeping her bedroom door open and making regular nighttime checks to reassure herself that her daughter was safe and alive owing to her constant worry that she could wake up one morning and find her dead in bed.

While, in general, the person with HU was not seen to be to blame for their condition and its effects, patients were sometimes accused of being selfish for maintaining tight blood glucose control and thereby putting their own long-term health in front of the more immediate safety and well-being of others, such as their children.

Family members, however, could also struggle to come to terms with feeling angry and resentful, since, as they explicitly recognized, the person with HU experienced an impaired cognitive state when they had hypoglycemia and, hence, could not be held responsible for their actions. For this reason, R15 likened her situation to being with:.

Alongside educational deficits, family members described having felt emotionally ill prepared for the behavioral and personality changes that could accompany hypoglycemia.