The Sugarless Mind
This came from a Diabetes Newsletter:
The Sugarless Mind
One afternoon while sitting at my computer I noticed that my
program was not processing my keystrokes at its usual pace. Soon after I
noticed this, the screen started to flicker and suddenly went blank. My
computer still had all its vital parts, but without electricity it was
unable to process any information. As I sat there at my desk I started to
compare this situation to that of a hypoglycemic episode. When our blood
sugar starts to dip (50 to 80 mg/dl and less), we soon find ourselves not
thinking as clearly, just as my computer screeched to a halt without
electricity. If we continue on this downward spiral without correcting our
sugar level, we become just like my computer. Sure we will still have a
brain and all the other useful parts of our bodies, but without GLUCOSE,
the brain will not process the information we need to walk, talk and think.
So what happens to your thoughts as the fuel source diminishes?
Do you have trouble gathering your thoughts to form a meaningful
statement or question? Do you find yourself doubting your ability to
perform a task that just moments ago you were convinced you could do? Maybe
you become scared, confused or just not sure where you are or what you
should do. These are just a few descriptions I have gathered from patients
as they describe their hypoglycemic experiences. One patient even sees
"blue lakes" when his sugar is low and I believe him. A mind without glucose
is an unusual place to be.