As Diabetics we've probably all been there; the sudden, unexpected rush, the trembles, the massive hunger, the debilitating sense of weakness causing our legs to buckle and our brain to malfunction.
The Intense Desire to Eat. The unmistakable feeling of being completely out of control of our 
bodies.
Hypoglycemia.
The condition clinically - and coldly - described as "a pathological state produced by a lowerthan normal amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood".
Hypoglycemia is a condition that can either be drug-induced (as in the case of excess insulin, alcohol or sulfonylureas) or nondrug-induced (fasting, exercise, reactive hypoglycemia). People with Diabetes are familiar with the clinical, detached listing of symptoms: 
- Extreme hunger
- Increased perspiration
- Nervousness & shaking
- Faintness, dizziness, light-headedness
- Palpitations
- Sleepiness
The reality of Hypoglycemia symptoms may differ from person to person; you may have all of the clinically described warning signs, or you may have few, including (but not limited to):
- Numbness of the tongue
- Slurred speech patterns
- Impaired motor function and/or limb weakness (what I like to call Spaghetti arms and legs)
- Nausea
- Headache
- Moodiness and increased irritability
- Visual changes or disturbances
The most important aspect of detecting Hypoglycemic episodes is to become fully familiar with each and every warning sign that your own body gives you, whether it is the documented norm or not. This will allow you to detect a low blood glucose level earlier than you might relying on overt symptoms.
So, what's happening? Why do you feel this way when you are having a low? 
Hyperglycemic episodes and their indicators revolve around a hormone called epinephrine. That's right, you guessed it; epinephrine is more commonly called adrenaline. This hormone and neurotransmitter is released by the Adrenal Glands - which sit atop each kidney - and is in large part responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' responses of the body, as well as counterregulating any deficiencies in plasma glucose levels.
So, while you're shaking like a leaf and stuffing every bite of food that you can find into your mouth, your body is working overtime behind the scenes trying to acquire the necessary fuels for function by dancing an intricate, balanced pattern of give and take.
What you don't see from the outside is that your body knows, long before you do, that your blood glucose level is heading south. Your Nervous System contains cells called Neurons, which act as the wiring of the body and pass electrical impulses throughout; these Neurons are able to absorb glucose without the aid of insulin, and Neurons within the brain are the first to suffer when plasma glucose levels decline. The CNS (Central Nervous System) plays the watchdog, keeping an eye on plasma glucose levels and initiating adrenergic responses in the event of a deficiency of plasma glucose to the neurons in the brain.
The result of this adrenergic response is the release of epinephrine. Epinephrine then increases glycogenolysis to stimulate the conversion of glycogen to glucose within the liver. The end resulting glucose is then released from the liver and circulated throughout the body to bring glucose levels up.
Initially, when the decline in blood glucose levels is negligible, adrenergenic responses will manifest with acute hunger, perspiration, palpitations, etc. which is a result of the release of epinephrine and increased sympathetic activity. Further decrease of plasma glucose levels cause CNS manifestations; visual disturbances, coma, seizures. In severe cases of deficient levels of glucose, the brain will reduce it's higher functioning to limit energy requirements.
Now that you know what's going on in your body during a Hypoglycemic episode, how do you fix it?
First of all, you test to be sure. And then you get some fast-acting glucose, such as juice, pop or dextrose tablets.
Treating a Hypo with The Rule of 15
Eat 15 grams of CHO (carbohydrate) and test again in 15 minutes.
If your BG (blood glucose) level is back on target, you are good to go.
If not, consume another 15 grams of CHO and test again in 15 minutes.
And then lather, rinse, repeat.
The 15/15 rule is particularly important because it helps you to avoid any occurrences of Rebound Hyperglycemia. It prevents you from going from 3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL) to 15.0 mmol/L (270 mg/dL) in 0.6 seconds. Remember, not only are you consuming carbohydrates, your body is also releasing stores of glucose throughout your bloodstream. Overeating in conjunction with internal secretions of glucose can lead to a glucose overload of epic proportions. It is very hard on your cells - which transport said glucose - to go from starving to overfed and overworked in a short amount of time (and vice versa).
In severe cases of hypoglycemia - when oral glucose is not working and IV glucose is unavailable - a Glucagon shot can be effectively administered and symptoms should subside within 25 minutes. However, the effectiveness of a Glucagon injection is dependent upon the stores of glycogen within the liver. If these stores have been depleted by alcohol, fasting, prolonged and untreated hypoglycemia, etc., the injection will not work and the Diabetic should be given medical attention as soon as possible.
Always be sure to carry some form of glucose on your person at all times, test often and don't let those Hypo's get you down!
And remember: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
As Diabetics we've probably all been there; the sudden, unexpected rush, the trembles, the massive hunger, the debilitating sense of weakness causing our legs to buckle and our brain to malfunction.
The Intense Desire to Eat. The unmistakable feeling of being completely out of control of our
bodies.
Hypoglycemia.
The condition clinically - and coldly - described as "a pathological state produced by a lowerthan normal amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood".
Hypoglycemia is a condition that can either be drug-induced (as in the case of excess insulin, alcohol or sulfonylureas) or nondrug-induced (fasting, exercise, reactive hypoglycemia). People with Diabetes are familiar with the clinical, detached listing of symptoms:
The reality of Hypoglycemia symptoms may differ from person to person; you may have all of the clinically described warning signs, or you may have few, including (but not limited to):
The most important aspect of detecting Hypoglycemic episodes is to become fully familiar with each and every warning sign that your own body gives you, whether it is the documented norm or not. This will allow you to detect a low blood glucose level earlier than you might relying on overt symptoms.
So, what's happening? Why do you feel this way when you are having a low?
Hyperglycemic episodes and their indicators revolve around a hormone called epinephrine. That's right, you guessed it; epinephrine is more commonly called adrenaline. This hormone and neurotransmitter is released by the Adrenal Glands - which sit atop each kidney - and is in large part responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' responses of the body, as well as counterregulating any deficiencies in plasma glucose levels.
So, while you're shaking like a leaf and stuffing every bite of food that you can find into your mouth, your body is working overtime behind the scenes trying to acquire the necessary fuels for function by dancing an intricate, balanced pattern of give and take.
What you don't see from the outside is that your body knows, long before you do, that your blood glucose level is heading south. Your Nervous System contains cells called Neurons, which act as the wiring of the body and pass electrical impulses throughout; these Neurons are able to absorb glucose without the aid of insulin, and Neurons within the brain are the first to suffer when plasma glucose levels decline. The CNS (Central Nervous System) plays the watchdog, keeping an eye on plasma glucose levels and initiating adrenergic responses in the event of a deficiency of plasma glucose to the neurons in the brain.
The result of this adrenergic response is the release of epinephrine. Epinephrine then increases glycogenolysis to stimulate the conversion of glycogen to glucose within the liver. The end resulting glucose is then released from the liver and circulated throughout the body to bring glucose levels up.
Initially, when the decline in blood glucose levels is negligible, adrenergenic responses will manifest with acute hunger, perspiration, palpitations, etc. which is a result of the release of epinephrine and increased sympathetic activity. Further decrease of plasma glucose levels cause CNS manifestations; visual disturbances, coma, seizures. In severe cases of deficient levels of glucose, the brain will reduce it's higher functioning to limit energy requirements.
Now that you know what's going on in your body during a Hypoglycemic episode, how do you fix it?
First of all, you test to be sure. And then you get some fast-acting glucose, such as juice, pop or dextrose tablets.
Treating a Hypo with The Rule of 15
Eat 15 grams of CHO (carbohydrate) and test again in 15 minutes.
If your BG (blood glucose) level is back on target, you are good to go.
If not, consume another 15 grams of CHO and test again in 15 minutes.
And then lather, rinse, repeat.
The 15/15 rule is particularly important because it helps you to avoid any occurrences of Rebound Hyperglycemia. It prevents you from going from 3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL) to 15.0 mmol/L (270 mg/dL) in 0.6 seconds. Remember, not only are you consuming carbohydrates, your body is also releasing stores of glucose throughout your bloodstream. Overeating in conjunction with internal secretions of glucose can lead to a glucose overload of epic proportions. It is very hard on your cells - which transport said glucose - to go from starving to overfed and overworked in a short amount of time (and vice versa).
Always be sure to carry some form of glucose on your person at all times, test often and don't let those Hypo's get you down!
And remember: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!