Low Blood Sugar And Your Mind
One danger of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is that you might not know you’re having it. Low glucose levels affect your brain and can leave you unable to recognize a problem or seek a solution. Low blood sugar is not a symptom of diabetes. It’s a side effect of diabetes treatment. It happens when you have too much insulin for the amount of food you have eaten. You can get hypoglycemia (high-po-glye-SEEM-e-uh) if you take insulin or if you take pills that stimulate your body to release insulin from the pancreas. These pills include sulfonylureas, such as chlorpropamide (brand name Diabinese), tolbutamide (Orinase), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), tolazamide (Tolinase), and tolbutamide (Orinase). Other drugs that raise insulin and can lead to hypoglycemia include the meglitinides, such as repaglinide (Prandin) and nateglinide (Starlix). Combination drugs that contain sulfonylureas or meglitinides can also potentially cause lows. You can see a more complete list of drugs that cause hypoglycemia here. If you have too much insulin and don’t eat enough, or you exercise too much, you will likely develop low blood sugar. The symptoms can range from annoying, like excessive sweating, to life-threatening, like passing out while driving or having seizures. Celia Kirkman, RN, CDE, wrote that “Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the brain does not have enough glucose to carry out its many functions.” You can’t pay attention to things, you’re less aware of your environment; you have less control of your emotions. This is what makes low blood sugar hard to treat and prevent. Your brain is supposed to pick up warning signs and address problems, but your brain is impaired by low glucose. Symptoms of low Continue reading >>
Anxious/mood Swings With Diabetes Type 2
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community My dad was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about 3 years ago and he did not manage it well. He is now borderline type 1 and is currently testing his blood sugar levels before and after every meals. He is taking this quite seriously now and hopefully is making progress.....but..... we have noticed as a family that is is getting quite moody and restless. For example I found him pacing the living room at about 6am one morning and wringing his hands looking very anxious. When I questioned him, he told me he was fine but I knew he wasn't. He is also on medication for the diabetes as well called Forxiga. We as a family are trying to support him more with the diabetes and trying to understand more about it, can anyone give me any advice on whether or not these mood swings/anxiousness are part of it? Swinging blood sugars can cause mood swings. I personally get very restless when my blood sugar is high. It could also be worry about the future. If it is that, perhaps have a chat with him in a relaxed way and hope he lets out any worries he has. By the way, do,you mean he's about to,start insulin when you say he's borderline Type 1? Type 1 is an auto immune condition so is different from Type 2. If a Type 2 needs insulin, they're a Type 2 on Insulin. We have a special forum for those people here if you need more info Hi @azure , thanks so much for getting back to me. Im still learning about diabetes, excuse my ignorance, but I thought that if type 2 that bad then it became type 1.(My bad!!!) With regards to the mood swings we are giving him some leeway on this, as generally hes not a moody person, so im thinking its a combination of everything to do with the dia Continue reading >>
Is There A Blood Sugar Monster Lurking Within You?
Is There a Blood Sugar Monster Lurking Within You? Do you get mean or low, and don't know why? Ever know someone who will get into the lousiest mood because they became hungry? And, if they dont get some food in soon, the brain shuts down and they can become just plain mean? Sometimes they don't know they are hungry until after they eatwhen they apologize for their behavior. Are you even one of those people? Hunger and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are primitive signals known to set off the stress response in a person. In people who are predisposed, anxiety and depression can be common segues to this stress response. Triggered by drops and fluctuations in blood sugar, anxiety, and depression can manifest in people who are very sensitive and can become chronic if food intake isnt consistent. Humans are built like all the other animalsand animals get very unhappy when blood sugar is low. It is an evolutionary mechanism that is designed to make finding food a priority. This priority is important, for it helps to avoid starvation. But in us humans, low blood sugar can have a very negative effect on mood. While the primitive animal goes into food-finding mode, sometimes our more complex human brain doesnt realize it is a food issue, and instead simply feels anxious, depressed, angry, or even all three. That primitive part of us starts to stress about other issues (work, relationships) and the real culpritlow blood sugaris not addressed. In a panic, sometimes a person who is hungry and stressed out might even go for more sugary foods (like sodas, cookies and cakes) which will cause even greater blood sugar fluctuations and keep the cycle going. If you know you are one of the people who are affected by drops in blood sugar, it is important to eat regularly throughout the day Continue reading >>
Food To Balance Your Mood
Think of your body as an insanely complex, gooey car. Put in gas and oil (a balanced diet), and you're good to go. Put in nicotine; alcohol; caffeine; weird, manufactured fats; gummy, washed-out flour; and sugar, and it's like pouring sugar into the gas tank. You'll sputter, run on, stop and start, or stall. Senior New York University clinical nutritionist Samantha Heller, MS, RD, would probably prefer an analogy to a chemistry set. "If you are chemically balanced," Heller contends, "your moods will be balanced." A lot of factors can throw the body out of balance. "A lot of women are anemic," she says. "This leads to depression and fatigue. Older people are often deficient in the B vitamins. People who don't eat regularly often have big shifts in blood sugar." People also have chemical sensitivities to certain foods that can govern mood. In a study of 200 people done in England for the mental health group known as Mind, participants were told to cut down on mood "stressors" they ate, while increasing the amount of mood "supporters." Stressors included sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and chocolate (more of that coming up). Supporters were water, vegetables, fruit, and oil-rich fish. Eighty-eight percent of the people who tried this reported improved mental health. Specifically, 26% said they had fewer mood swings, 26% had fewer panic attacks and anxiety, and 24% said they experienced less depression. One big set of chemicals that control mood are the neurotransmitters in the brain led by the pleasure "drug" serotonin. These substances determine whether you feel good and energetic or tired, irritable, and spacey. They run on sugar, preferably the form that comes from low glycemic carbohydrates (not doughnut sprinkles), according to Molly Kimball, RD, sports and lifestyle nutrit Continue reading >>
10 Warning Signs Of Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is common among people with diabetes and can occur even when you're carefully managing the condition. "Hypoglycemia happens when the amount of blood glucose (sugar in the blood) drops to a level that's too low to sustain normal functioning," says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet. "In most people, this is defined as a blood-sugar level below 70 milligrams per deciliter." A review published in June 2015 in the journal PLoS One found that among people with type 2 diabetes, this is a far too common occurrence. Individuals with the condition had an average of 19 mild episodes of hypoglycemia per year, and nearly one severe episode per year on average. Low blood sugar was particularly common among those taking insulin. This decrease in blood sugar levels can cause both short-term complications, like confusion and dizziness, as well as more serious, long-term complications. Left untreated, it can lead to a coma and even death. To prevent hypoglycemia and its dangerous side effects, it's crucial to monitor your glucose levels and treat low blood sugar as soon as you become aware of it. Pay attention to these telltale signs of dipping blood sugar levels to make sure yours stays under control: 1. Ravenous Hunger If you've already eaten but still aren't satisfied, or if you suddenly, inexplicably feel as if you're starving, your body is signaling that it needs more glucose. Work with your healthcare team to determine the exact amount of sugar your body needs. A good starting point is the American Diabetes Association's recommendation to eat between 15 and 20 grams (g) of sugar or carbohydrates with each snack, and between 40 and 65 g at each meal. Some good options include 2 tablespoons of raisins, 4 ounces of fruit juice Continue reading >>
Improve Relationships By Avoiding Low Glucose Levels
(NaturalHealth365) Are you feeling overly sensitive or do you tend to easily “fly off the handle”? Notice yourself quarreling with your spouse or children all too often? If you find yourself experiencing frequent mood fluctuations that affect your relationships and emotional wellbeing throughout the day, low glucose levels could be to blame. Instead of getting angry, researchers suggest you get eating! Low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia should not be taken lightly. Published recently in Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, Florida University researchers reported that hypoglycemia leads to greater aggression in married couples. In addition, studies indicate that preventing childhood diseases such as mental health issues, diabetes and obesity is directly related to optimizing blood sugar levels from infancy. Chronic stress and adrenal ‘burnout’ can be caused by blood sugar imbalances For those of us that burn the candle at both ends or are on the go without taking time for meals and snacks, the optimal insulin to cortisol ratio that keeps us even-keeled and feeling energized is often tapped out. This extreme shift in neuro-hormonal homeostasis can result in anxiety, frustration, anger and sadness making it difficult to maintain both personal and professional relationships. Some of you may be thinking, “but I snack all day and still experience those fluctuations, why?” This can even happen to people who choose healthy, nutrient-dense foods, but may not be ingesting them at optimal times. If high sugar-rich foods (even natural varieties) such as fruits are selected without following up with proteins and fats – blood sugar can quickly drop, causing you to feel a sudden change in mood. Are you having a problem with your child due to low glucose l Continue reading >>
What Is The Connection Between Blood Sugar And Emotions?
Changes in blood sugar can have a significant impact on how a person feels, including emotionally, because of how sugar affects not just the brain but the entire body. In addition, emotions can also affect how the body regulates blood sugar. Anyone with persistently high or low blood sugar should talk to a doctor to determine if an underlying condition is to blame. Blood sugar is affected by a variety of factors, including food. Blood sugar rises in the hour or two after a meal and then gradually declines. Foods high in carbohydrates can lead to higher spikes in blood sugar, followed by a more rapid decline. Physical activity causes the muscles to burn glucose, leading to lower blood glucose levels. Some medications can affect blood glucose levels, and stress can also lead to an overall increase in blood sugar. Blood Sugar Effects on Emotions Abnormally high or low blood sugar can affect emotions. Unusually low blood sugar --- also known as hypoglycemia --- can cause feelings of anxiety and confusion. Hypoglycemia can also make it hard to complete routine tasks and can lead to abnormal behavior. High blood glucose, on the other hand, can cause fatigue. Persistently high blood glucose due to poorly treated diabetes may also worsen depression. Stress Effect on Blood Sugar The link between emotions and blood sugar goes beyond the symptoms of hypo- and hyperglycemia, as emotions can also affect blood sugar. Stress, whether emotional or physical, leads to the release of hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. Both of these hormones can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. People with diabetes already have trouble regulating blood sugar, so emotional stress can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels. Managing Blood Sugar and Emotions Persistently high or low blood su Continue reading >>
Metformin Mood Swings
I was diagnosed at the end of March. I have been on Metformin for about 2 months. I have always been an even keeled guy and let things roll off my back. Since I have been taking meds the littlest things tick me off and I will fly off the handle. Is this just me, or does Metformin effect moods in other people. I really need to get control of this. Moderator T2 dx'd 2009, low carb diet, Metformin, Januvia. I know I had some mood swings as my blood glucose was falling. I still do if I haven't eaten--I get crabby until I eat. So for me, it wasn't the metformin but rather my glucose improving. D.D. Family Getting much harder to control I would say its more your bg what do your daily test show. When my bg was high I would get that way, if you were higher in the past and are not going lower I can see the swings that happened to me. Oh and at the time I was not on met it was just my bg coming down. I am usually 115ish in the morning and 93 in the evening. I was 131 yesterday evening but we figured it was because I drank a low cal sports drink right before I took it. D.D. Family Getting much harder to control I am usually 115ish in the morning and 93 in the evening. I was 131 yesterday evening but we figured it was because I drank a low cal sports drink right before I took it. My question what level were you when dx, I ran very high and when I got lower moods swings were strong. D.D. Family Getting much harder to control Sorry that means diagnosis, what level you months or a year ago, as numbers drop our moods can change. I was hospitalized with keto acidosis on March 28th. I was over 400 at that point my a1c was 12.5. I was put on insulin and took a couple weeks to figure out my diet and get my blood sugar below 120. After about 5 weeks I was put on a combination of metformin Continue reading >>
Mood Changes Associated With Blood Glucose Fluctuations In Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus.
Abstract Individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and their healthcare practitioners believe that extreme blood glucose (BG) fluctuations are characterized by changes in subjective mood states and emotional behavior, as well as physical symptoms. This study examined relationships between BG levels and self-reported mood in a group of 34 IDDM adults. The method followed a within-subject, repeated-measures design employed in previous studies of physical symptoms associated with diabetic glucose. Four times each day, participants completed a mood/symptom checklist just prior to a self-measurement of BG until 40 checklists had been completed. Half the items on the checklist described physical symptoms and half described mood states. In addition, half the mood items described negative states and half described positive states. Within-subject correlations and regressions showed that moods were related to BG for the majority of participants and that, like physical symptoms, mood-BG relationships were highly idiosyncratic. Low BG levels tended to be associated with negative mood states, primarily self-reported "nervousness." Positive mood items were almost always associated with high BG. High BG levels also frequently correlated with negative mood states, although the negative mood items that tended to relate to high glucose (anger, sadness) differed from those that tended to relate to low BG. The implications of these findings for self-treatment and glucose perception in the IDDM individual are discussed. Continue reading >>
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Eliminating Functional Hypoglycemia To Stabilize Mood
Eliminating Functional Hypoglycemia to Stabilize Mood Many mood disorders are related to hypoglycemia and carbohydrate addiction. Source: Salish Country Cookbook, used with permission Without reducing the intake of refined carbohydrates such as sugar, balancing mood will remain out of reach for the mood-disordered, and one may never know why. Hypoglycemia refers to low blood glucose, which is often associated with poor adrenal function. People under stress are vulnerable to functional or reactive hypoglycemia because stress negatively affects the regulation of blood glucose. Most patients who do not eat a healthy diet and binge on carbohydrates have hypoglycemia and do not know it. Many vegetarians experience it, since they often do not consume enough proteins to stabilize their blood sugar. This syndrome causes mood lability and inattention, which is often misidentified as the rapid cycling of bipolar disorder or ADHD . Recently, bipolar disease has become the diagnosis du jour, but without eliminating hypoglycemia as a cause of mood cycling, an accurate diagnosis cannot be made. I have treated many children and adults with severe mood swings and irritability, which is diminished or eliminated when the hypoglycemia and carbohydrate addiction are addressed. Other symptoms include irritability (due to hunger ) and orthostatic hypotension, which occurs when one rises from a supine position to standing and becomes light-headed. This reflects adrenal fatigue, hypoglycemia, and often, low blood sugar, which can be addressed by adding a thiamine-rich B-vitamin complex. Sugar derives from the sugar cane plant, a grass indigenous to the western hemisphere. Like many foods, the original whole food form is healthy, tasty, and rich in vitamins and minerals. It does not significan Continue reading >>
How Can Blood Sugar Changes Affect My Mood If I Have Diabetes?
You can have emotional changes with high and low blood glucose. When blood glucose is high, you may feel tired and not have enough energy to get things done. You may also worry about getting a diabetes problem from constant high blood glucose. If your blood glucose is too low you may argue, not be able to think clearly, or need help getting something to eat. Fluctuations in blood sugars or sugars that are out of range can contribute to unexplained mood swings, irritability, or tearfulness. Altered glucose levels can also make it harder to concentrate and make you feel fatigued. Other affects on mood have been feeling jumpy, grouchy, or out of sorts. One source of emotional stability is good blood sugar control; levels that are in the healthy range actually enhance your sense of well-being. In addition, the diet and exercise habits that help control blood sugar are themselves mood-boosting. And of course, there's the sweet payoff of fitting back into that pair of jeans or hearing your doctor tell you that your A1c numbers have improved. You probably know of -- or have experienced firsthand -- the irritability, lethargy, and confusion that result from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), but you may not realize that high blood sugar -- hyperglycemia -- can also throw you for a loop. While hypoglycemia's side effects are well-established, research is starting to document hyperglycemia symptoms. For instance, in a German study, people with type 1 diabetes wore a continuous glucose monitor (a device that senses and records blood sugar levels) for two days while documenting their mood seven times a day. When their blood sugar level rose over 180, people reported being more angry, tense, and unhappy than when it was between 70 and 180. During the study, participants couldn't see th Continue reading >>
How Diabetes Causes Mood Swings (and What To Do About It)
Diabetes Mood Swings: The Roller Coaster You Don’t Want to Ride All of a sudden you feel it: your teeth are clenched, your blood is boiling and you wonder if people can see the smoke coming out your ears. Is it possible that type 2 diabetes caused this sudden mood change? Yes. Not only can diabetes be responsible for mood changes, but it can take a toll on your emotions in general. From anger to depression to anxiety, diabetes can take you across a spectrum of feelings. This roller coaster can leave you just plain exhausted. Let’s take a look first at the feelings and possible causes and then at some ways to cope. Anger A common feeling, whether you’ve just been diagnosed or had diabetes for years, is anger. Not only are many diabetics angry at being diagnosed with the disease and ask “Why me?” but they are also made to feel guilty that their own lifestyle choices have led them to this diagnosis. This can build up and start to cause resentment problems in the relationships with those that may not be as supportive as they could be. Depression There are many reasons those of us with diabetes can feel depressed. With a diabetes diagnosis comes the need for many lifestyle changes — and that is not an easy task. If you are someone who never really paid attention to what you ate and didn’t have a set exercise routine, you will find the new requirements of counting carbs and getting some exercise in to be a bit daunting at first. Many people will also be unhappy with having to take medicines and the fact that these medicines may have unwanted side effects such as sexual dysfunction and digestion issues. The burden alone of the daily management of diabetes can be a cause of depression. Anxiety Anxiety is also common among people with a chronic illness such as diab Continue reading >>
Are People With Diabetes More Prone To Aggression?
Relationship Between Blood Glucose Level and Self-Control Blood sugar can make people do crazy things. According to a recent scientific study on the link between low blood glucose level and relationship clashes (Bushman et al, 2014), being hungry makes an individual generally cranky and act more hostile to others. In the study, couples who are hungry tend to have a much higher tendency to exhibit aggression towards each other and become more impulsive in their reactions. This phenomenon is often referred to “hangry” (meaning feeling angry when you are hungry). If this irritable state can happen to any healthy person who experiences a change in their blood glucose level, imagine the ordeals individuals with diabetes frequently go through on a daily basis. However, do not jump to the conclusion that diabetes leads to aggression. In fact, scientists find a more direct correlation between blood glucose level and self-control. I recommend reading the following articles: In a way, you can visualize self-control as a muscle that requires a lot of energy to sustain so that it does not become ineffective quickly. This energy source comes from the glucose in the blood. So what kind of activities can wear out this “muscle”? Any daily activities that require self-discipline such as forcing yourself to get out of bed early to exercise, resisting from having a soda drink or another cookie with your meal, stopping yourself from smoking, dealing with stressful situations at work and at home, and abstaining yourself from road rage. As you can see, self-control plays a crucial part in restraining inappropriate and aggressive behaviors. So when people are low in glucose, the self-control mechanism cannot function properly to prevent these outbursts of hostile actions. In a researc Continue reading >>
Blood Sugar And Mood: The Fine Art Of Balancing With Food
There are many benefits to balancing your blood sugar. When your blood sugar is on a roller coaster ride all day, so is your mood. Ever wonder why you get irritable and frustrated when you skip a meal? Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the reason behind this and something you want to try and avoid. Daily consumption of refined carbohydrates, alcohol, poor diet and skipping meals contribute to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Not only do imbalanced blood sugars affect your physical health which puts stress on different body systems; they also affect your emotional well-being. Read more about hypoglycemia and marital stress Diabetic or not, keeping your blood sugar level balanced is important to your overall health. Learning to recognize the signs of hypoglycemia will help you in making preventative steps to achieve greater health. Symptoms of hypoglycemia usually present themselves before increased blood sugar levels do and are easier to recognize. Symptoms of Hypoglycemia: Headaches Depression Anxiety Shaky feeling Irritability Blurred vision Excessive sweating Confusion Incoherent speech Refined sugars in the diet are quickly absorbed into your bloodstream, resulting in an increase in blood sugar levels. This signals the pancreas to produce increased amount of insulin. Because of the increase in insulin symptoms of hypoglycemia can occur. The rapid drop in blood sugar levels can cause the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol. Over time your adrenal glands can also become exhausted. This situation can cause you to become depressed and emotional issues can present themselves. As you can see preventative, measures to eliminate low blood sugar reactions are the first step to achieving balance for emotional and physical health in your body. Read more about s Continue reading >>
Do Blood Sugar Levels Affect Mood Swings?
Blood sugar levels that become too high or too low can cause a variety of health problems and can even be life-threatening. Mild, moderate and severe blood sugar fluctuations can also affect your mood and behavior. If your blood sugar levels tend to spike and drop and you notice changes, you need to speak with your physician to learn how to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Video of the Day After a meal, the food you eat is broken down into glucose and either used right away for energy or stored for use later on. Glucose is also made by the liver and pancreas. In order for the cells to use glucose, the hormone insulin must be present. If you have diabetes your body either does not produce insulin or cannot use it properly. Without enough insulin your blood sugar levels can get too high. Non-diabetics can also experience fluctuations in blood sugar levels when skipping meals as a side effect of medications or from various other illnesses. Blood sugar levels are considered high if they climb to greater than 100mg/dL, and diabetes is diagnosed when the level reaches 126 mg/dL or more, according to MedlinePlus. A blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL is considered low. Both high and low blood glucose levels can cause a variety of symptoms, including mood swings. Your brain, like all areas of the body, relies on a steady supply of glucose to function properly. If you take too much insulin, skip meals, take certain medications, are extremely physically active or drink too much alcohol, your blood sugar levels can drop too low. A low blood sugar level is called hypoglycemia. Mild cases of low blood sugar can cause you to feel nervous or anxious, while more severe cases can lead to feeling irritable or tired, notes the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Along with moo Continue reading >>
