How to Control Brittle Diabetes – Effective Ways to Manage Sugar Levels Through Diet

Reviewed by: | Author: Manoja Kalakanti

Diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects many people. The disorder interferes with the body’s glucose metabolism and control, causing blood sugar levels to rise. As a result, many issues may arise, potentially jeopardizing the patient’s life. If you’ve had diabetes for a while, you’ve probably heard the term brittle diabetes, and you may even have been told you have it. It is categorized into several types, with type 2 diabetes the most common. While type 1 and 2 diabetes are well-known, it is essential to remember that there are other types of blood sugar levels.

Control Brittle Diabetes

Brittle diabetes type 1 is challenging to manage. It is also known as difficult to control diabetes or labile diabetes. It has long been discussed in the endocrinology world. Anyone with type 1 diabetes knows that even a single unit of too much or too little insulin can cause blood sugar swings. Let us talk about what brittle diabetes is, the risk factors, how it’s diagnosed, and the best ways to manage it for more stable blood sugar levels.

What is Brittle Diabetes and What Causes It?

Brittle diabetes is a rare type of insulin-dependent diabetes. It is distinguished by wide fluctuating blood sugar levels, rapidly transitioning from hyperglycemia to hypoglycemia. These episodes are unpredictable and can hurt one’s quality of life.

A variety of factors can cause brittle diabetes, but the following are the most common:

  • Emotional stress
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Poor personal care
  • Malabsorption
  • Autonomic neuropathy complications
  • Celiac disease
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Abnormal insulin absorption
  • Hunger

Signs and Symptoms of Brittle Diabetes

Brittle diabetes symptoms are like low and high blood sugar levels. However, in people with brittle diabetes, symptoms can quickly shift from one category to the next.

Here are some common symptoms of high blood glucose levels:

  • Blurred vision
  • Fatigue
  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • A rapid heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Nervousness or anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Confusion
  • dizziness

In extreme cases of brittle diabetes, you may not develop symptoms during low blood sugar. This can cause fluctuating sugar levels and fall dangerously low without your knowledge, resulting in losing consciousness, seizure, or death.

Diagnosis

Brittle diabetes is difficult to diagnose. It is sometimes associated with a psychological diagnosis, such as depression or anxiety. The two conditions may be interdependent. People who suffer from high cortisol levels, depression, or stress may neglect to eat a healthy diet. This can exacerbate blood sugar fluctuations. Out-of-control sugar levels can aggravate depression and anxiety.

Treatment

Brittle diabetes is treated by keeping your blood sugar levels under control. Identifying and correcting any underlying physical or psychological issues is another effective treatment strategy. The treatment plan should address any behavioral, psychological, or environmental factors.

Brittle diabetes treatment will frequently include first treating any underlying psychological or mental health issues and controlling the level of stress one is experiencing.

Behavioral therapy is usually effective in treating brittle diabetes and achieving better health outcomes, such as lower blood sugar levels and Hba1c levels.

Brittle diabetes may necessitate a lengthy hospitalization. Food intake, insulin dosage, exercise routines, and stress response are closely monitored to establish baseline data for a more successful long-term treatment protocol.

Other effective treatments for brittle diabetes include:

  • Monitor blood sugar levels
  • Work closely with your doctor to re-establish sensitivity to low blood sugar.
  • Using an insulin pump to achieve a more accurate dosing
  • Reducing carbohydrates and maintaining a more consistent diet
  • Maintaining a consistent and regular exercise routine
  • Getting adequate sleep each night
  • Managing stress in a healthy manner, such as through yoga and meditation

Diet Plan for Brittle Diabetes

Diabetes meal planning should be individualized and created to assist people with diabetes in achieving reasonable blood sugar control, optimizing nutrition, losing weight, and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. You can improve your blood glucose control and increase your energy by reducing your calorie and carbohydrate intake.

When the patient’s blood sugar level is high, they feel an extra push. If the patient feels the powerful thrust, he should drink plenty of water to compensate for the water deficiency and keep his blood sugar level regular.

Remind people that drinking water must be free of sugar or sweeteners, such as sports drinks. If the patient drinks carbohydrates-containing water to replenish dehydration, the body quickly converts those carbohydrates into energy.

Foods You Should Avoid in Brittle Diabetes

Some fruits and vegetables are high-glycemic; avoid foods that break down quickly into sugars. These foods break down quickly into sugars, raising blood sugar levels.

Some foods include:

Exercise has a surprising number of benefits for people with diabetes. It lowers your stress levels, but it may also lower your blood sugar levels and even your insulin requirements. Make it a habit to do the following exercises regularly. They will provide you with the most benefits to help you manage your brittle diabetes and are relatively easy to include in your daily routine.

Walking

Walking is the most common exercise and is highly advisable for people with diabetes because it can be done almost anywhere. Brisk walking for 30 min is an excellent way to increase your physical activity. You can even divide these 30 minutes into three 10-minute sessions per day.

Tai Chai

Tai Chi is a Chinese form of exercise that uses slow, smooth movements to relax both the mind and the body. According to studies, those who participate in tai chi sessions have significantly better blood sugar control. They also claim to have more vitality, energy and mental health.

Yoga

Yoga is a traditional form of exercise that combines fluid movements to increase flexibility, strength, and balance. It is beneficial to people suffering from various chronic conditions, including diabetes. It reduces stress and improves nerve function, improving mental health and wellness. According to the ADA, Yoga may lower blood glucose levels due to increased muscle mass.

Dancing

Dancing is good for your body, but it is also good for your mind. The mental effort required to remember dance steps and sequences improves brain power and memory. It is a fun and exciting way for people with diabetes to enhance physical activity, aid in weight loss, improve flexibility and reduce stress.

Swimming

Swimming stretches and relaxes your muscles while putting no strain on your joints, which is ideal for people with diabetes. It improves cholesterol levels, burns calories, and reduces stress levels in people who have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes.

Speak to your doctor before starting an exercise to ensure that the workout you choose is appropriate for your type of diabetes. Remember to take it slowly at first, especially if you haven’t been physically active in a long time.

Our Take

Brittle diabetes is always tricky, but you should gain more confidence and understanding of improving your blood sugar levels, safety, and quality of life with enough gradual education. In most cases, brittle diabetes is preventable and can be stabilized with proper blood sugar control. Consult your therapist if you are experiencing significant fluctuations in your blood sugar levels.

FAQ’s

What causes brittle diabetes?

Brittle diabetes can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical conditions or psychological issues like depression or stress.

How long can a brittle diabetic live?

With treatment and lifestyle changes, most people with diabetes can live healthy lives. But people with brittle diabetes have frequent problems managing the disease.

Can brittle diabetes be reversed?

Brittle diabetes is often associated with stress, depression and other psychological issues. It can be reversed with lifestyle changes such as losing weight and managing stress.

How do you fix brittle diabetes?

Using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which detects your blood sugar levels and alerts you when insulin adjustments are required, uses an insulin pump to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Can drinking a lot of water lower your blood sugar?

Drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water per day lowers a person’s blood sugar level by simply reducing the body’s insulin resistance through proper hydration.

How do you know when your diabetes is getting worse?

High blood sugar levels can distort the lenses in your eyes, causing your vision to deteriorate. Diabetes can lead to many serious health problems if untreated and blood sugar levels are not closely monitored and controlled.

How quickly can blood sugar change?

Blood sugar levels can vary from one day to the next, hour to hour, and even minute to minute. The rate and extent of sugar level fluctuations depend on the type of carbohydrates and other nutrients found in your foods.

Why won’t my blood sugar stay up?

We experience low blood sugar symptoms when our glucose levels are too low. Simple carbohydrates, such as those found in processed foods, added sugars, artificial syrups, and other similar foods, will cause your blood sugar to spike.

Is brittle diabetes fatal?

Brittle diabetes is not fatal in and of itself, and in most cases, we can successfully manage it with a change in diet and under the supervision of a doctor.

Why is my sugar level going up and down?

Using an excessive or insufficient amount of diabetes medication. Changes in dietary habits or food content include eating fried foods or foods with a high carbohydrate content.

Primary Keyword: Brittle Diabetes

Secondary Keyword

brittle diabetes

fluctuating blood sugar

fluctuating sugar levels

blood sugar fluctuations symptoms

brittle diabetes diagnosis

brittle diabetes type 1

Download App

Get our wellness newsletter

Health and Diet tips, Fitness,
Beauty and more.