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Hypoglycemia Unawareness vs. ???

Posted Oct 23 2008 9:27pm

I'm learning - so you're learning with me.  Sorry.  I have been reading: "The lower a person’s average blood sugar, the higher the risk for hypoglycemia unawareness."

So, what is hypoglycemic unawareness?

Source:  Diabetes Monitor.

"If the autonomic warning symptoms are ignored or unrecognized (hypoglycemic unawareness), with subsequent reductions in plasma glucose concentrations to around 50 mg/dl, symptoms of neuroglycopenia (weakness, lethargy, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness) and signs of cognitive dysfunction usually occur. Results from Pramming, Thorsteinsson, Bebdtson, and Bionder (1986) reveal deteriorations in cognitive performance in IDDM individuals at blood glucose concentrations just below subnormal levels (54 mg/dl). An important finding in this investigation is that for all but one of the neuropsychological tests (finger tapping), there was a gradual deterioration in cognitive performance with decreasing blood glucose concentrations. Based on outcomes, the authors concluded that performance on everyday tasks that entail planning and control would be adversely affected even at subnormal blood glucose concentrations, concentrations that are usually not considered to be hypoglycemic. Significant disruptions in simulated driving behaviors during moderate hypoglycemia (2.6 + 28 mM, ˜50 mg/dl) have been reported by Cox, Gonder-Frederick, and Clarke (1993). Disrupted behaviors included more swerving, spinning, time over midline, time off road, and apparent compensatory slowing with an increase in 'very slow' driving."

                 
A person's actions during HU can be bizarre with:
    
  • irrational thought
  • anger or irritability --- see also Anger During Lows
  • running away
  • insisting they "feel fine" in the midst of very unusual behavior
  • high stress
  • high emotions
  • laughing and silliness
   

What is truly bizarre about all of this - is that the recent neuro-psychological testing I undertook revealed a serious cognitive problem along with Bi-Polar I.  How fitting is it that the symptoms are very similar, many identical?

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