Complications

[karen]

We all know the complications of high bgs.

What are some complications of low bgs, besides passing out that is?

Karen

[Erin]

Decreased cognitive functioning, lower IQ, (which is basically the same thing), hypounawareness... those are the ones i can think of off the top of my head. (obviously the first two are complications from severe (read unconscious or seizing) or prolonged hypoglycemia... not your run of the mill hypo)

Given the choice between a foot or a kidney and my brain, I choose my brain... every time.

[seacomp]

We all know the complications of high bgs.
What are some complications of low bgs, besides passing out that is?

Good question. Let me ask it another way. Are there long-term complications from hypos? That is beyond the short term ones we know.

[jen_slc]

Repeated hypos, not necessarily those that cause you to pass out or seize, can affect the regions of your brain involved in memory, balance and coordination over time - those are the regions most sensitive to low/lack of glucose. That's why, at least in my experience and I'm sure in a lot of others' here, you may have trouble remembering what actually happened right before/during/right after the episode and why you might stumble around and crash into walls. I experienced daily nighttime lows (50 and below) for an undetermined amount of time without knowing it, several months at least, and I know my memory has definitely suffered! I get comments all the time now about my useless memory and just a couple of years ago it used to be fantastic. I also feel much more wary about doing things requiring a lot of balance too, though I do a lot of exercises to help my balance and regain my confidence.

Also, because T1s have impaired glucose counterregulatory mechanisms to start off with, repeated hypos can worsen this impairment... the more repeated hypos you have, the less your body is able to compensate over time and bring your bg back to normal. The name of this condition evades my brain at the moment though. :smile: Has to do with the autonomic response I think.

[Tokyo Cate]

This is a really interesting thread. I finally have an explanation for my horrible lack of coordination. Fabulous. The memory problem is a big one--years ago when I was still on lente, I had many serious lows, one of which resulted in a three-day coma and it took months to properly recover from the memory problems that it caused.

[mwd]

My sister who was also a T1 died in her sleep from a low blood sugar 4 months back. it was probably a prolonged untreated hypo that no one noticed as she was alone in a hotel room on a holiday with some friends fm work. she was found dead the next morning. apparently its called "dead in bed syndrome" which causes 6% of all diabetic deaths. definately a scary long term complication of low blood sugar!
she lived in UK and was on an insulin pump. had no diabetic complications.

[KickStart101]

Gee MWD: I am so sorry to hear of your Dear Sisters' :(
death. That is just Awful and Very Sad. That poor Girl.
My Deepest Sympathy to You and Your Family.


That is quite rare. Actually, she is the first Person I
have heard of, aside from the unknown People in the
articles. That is one reason why testing and a snack
before bed is recommended so your sugars don't drop
fatally low.

[Doetsch]

This is a really interesting thread. I finally have an explanation for my horrible lack of coordination. Fabulous. The memory problem is a big one--years ago when I was still on lente, I had many serious lows, one of which resulted in a three-day coma and it took months to properly recover from the memory problems that it caused.

I have poor coordination too. My friends always make fun of me and say that if I get pulled over by the police and they were to give me a field sobreity test, I would fail miserably. I have a knack for running into doors, walls and falling over randomly. I thought I was just a klutz. At least, I can blame it on something now.

[Doetsch]

My sister who was also a T1 died in her sleep from a low blood sugar 4 months back. it was probably a prolonged untreated hypo that no one noticed as she was alone in a hotel room on a holiday with some friends fm work. she was found dead the next morning. apparently its called "dead in bed syndrome" which causes 6% of all diabetic deaths. definately a scary long term complication of low blood sugar!
she lived in UK and was on an insulin pump. had no diabetic complications.

I am so sorry to hear that MWD. The deepest prayers to you and your family.

[kgm0612]

COMA..........Hypoglycemic coma is rarely fatal. In fact, most people survive with prompt treatment. But if low blood sugar isn't treated promptly, you could lose consciousness or develop seizures. And if you become unconscious and no one knows you have diabetes, you could experience permanent brain damage.