How to Treat Low Blood Sugars for those
with Gastroparesis
Richard K.
Bernstein, M.D., F.A.C.E., F.A.C.N., C.W.S.
A patient from
Indiana with a hiatal hernia once told me, “These Dextrotabs don’t
raise my blood sugar one bit. What really works is one stick of
that sugar-free chewing gum.”
Her comment
illustrates a major hazard associated with any condition that
retards stomach-emptying (gastroparesis, ulcers, and so on): it’s
nearly impossible to treat hypoglycemia rapidly. Note the
qualifier, “nearly.” There are some tricks to circumvent the
problem.
If your last
episode of hypoglycemia occurred because your prior meal was
still sitting in your stomach, you might try some chewing gum
after meals to
help it empty.
Since chewed
glucose tablets can take several hours to leave your stomach, you
should try a liquid glucose solution. Such a product is available
as glucose-tolerance test beverage under a number of brand names
in the United States. These include Glucola, Limeondex, Dexicola,
and Sun-Dex. The drinks are bottled by manufacturers of clinical
laboratory reagents and are stocked in every hospital lab and
private clinical laboratory. The
most convenient is Glutol® 180ml, because it comes in a plastic
bottle. They come in cola, orange or lemon-lime flavors. Each
ounce contains 10 grams of glucose. One teaspoon will raise the
blood sugar of a 150-pound adult about 8 mg/dl and 1 tablespoonful
by about 25mg/dl. If you don’t have a tablespoonful handy and are
in a hurry, assume that one swallow from the bottle is equivalent
to 1 tablespoon.
If you’re
traveling and forget to bring along a bottle of your
glucose-tolerance test beverage, get some lactose-free milk. This
product has been treated with an enzyme that converts the lactose
to glucose. In the United States, the most widely marketed brand
is Lactaid. Every 4 ounces contains 6 grams of glucose and will
raise the blood sugar of a typical 150-pound adult by 30mg/dl.
Remember, however, that Lactaid will spoil after a few days if not
refrigerated.
Even if you’ve
used the glucose-tolerance test drink or Lactaid, you can speed up
the action by chewing gum or doing the back-flex and stomach
exercise I will describe in the next feature.
Coming Soon: Exercises that
facilitate stomach-emptying
The above
was abstracted from Dr. Bernstein’s book “Diabetes Solution”.
To view
other advice from Dr. Bernstein go to
www.diabetesincontrol.com/bernsteinarchive.htm
For
Information on Dr. Bernstein’s book “Diabetes Solution” go to
http://www.rx4betterhealth.com
Or visit Dr.
Bernstein’s site at
www.diabetes.normalsugars.com
for excerpts.
For information
on the
Glucose Tolerance Test solutions,
click here:
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