Let me add more information to some of the good points Larry makes and put in a mild correction.
If you're not in danger of diabetes, you might want to skip this discussion. We're about to get into stuff that is critical to diabetics and like talking about our operations to everyone else. Larry wrote: > > As I've just gone through all the classes on this thing, I want to clear up a couple > of points, or at least muddy up the water a little bit. > > First, the target goal for > blood sugar is 80 to 120. Below 80 and you are too low and run the risk of > headache, dizziness, and even Coma. Though my endocrinologist agrees pretty well with the upper limit, he adds more information for me on the lower side. Larry is VERY right that the dangers of LOW blood sugar are much, much more critical than going too high. I'd add to his list of low blood sugar symptoms shakiness and diminished cognition and judgment before unconsciousness. It is CRITICAL to avoid extreme lows. The FAA REQUIRES that the diabetic must not have had any instances of low blood sugar where help was required in the last x years. In fact, when an insulin using diabetic is allowed to fly, we/they must keep the blood sugars between 100 and 300. If we were to slip below 100, we are required to take glucose pills (and always have them in the plane) or other food to quickly get above the 100 number. In other words, when flying, an insulin using diabetic needs to eat poorly or use less insulin to be sure to be well in the middle of the 100-300 range. My endocrinologist certainly doesn't want the bottom of my range to stay above 100, but for a day once in a while it won't damage my tissues much. Insulin using diabetics must have a recording meter (for evidence) and do a test before take off, once each hour during the flight, and before landing. (There are special exceptions for dangerous flying situations -- fly the plane first!) Tight control is strongly encouraged by diabetes specialists. Larry's right that 120 is the preferred upper limit, I've also heard 130 quoted. My endocrinologist doesn't seem at all worried by my readings in the 70s and 60s. Admittedly, I have few readings in the 60s. Perhaps he allows me more slack because I get clear warnings of low blood sugar, but he's never criticized my readings in the 70s and high 60s. When I, occasionally, eat much better quality or a lot fewer calories than that for which my treatment is designed, and go too low, I feel it when I get below 70. It'll wake up out of a deep sleep if I drop below 60. The FAA requires that insulin using diabetics be able to feel the onset of low blood glucose. > Above 120, and you run the long term risks > associated with Diabetes. (too many to list). Absolutely right. Sugar is toxic in high levels and destroys tissues. The higher you go, the higher the risks, running to MULTIPLES of the chance non diabetics have for heart attack, stroke, blindness, and more. > As I understand it, the FAA > requirement to keep your Medical current is that your blood sugar is above 150, not > below it. As one member so aptly put it some time ago, it's not the Diabetes that > keeps you from flying, it's the cure. Even extremely high blood sugar levels will > not cause you to be a hazard in the air. The hazard comes from the overly low > levels, in that you could pass or become disoriented in the air. The FAA has NO requirement that we stay above 150. The rules for insulin using diabetics are listed above. Larry's right about the high levels, too. Before the medical when I lost my medical, even when I was often or usually in the 400-600 range, my thinking wasn't apparently affected. I did challenging mental work that year in between trips to the drinking fountain and the rest room. However, I think I've heard that at very high levels, cognition is affected some. But diabetics aren't allowed to just go along with high blood sugars. I know the (fuzzy and not rigorously defined) rule for insulin using diabetics: our HbA1c should/must be less than 20% above the upper limit of the normal range of the lab doing the test. For the lab that does my tests, normal + 20% comes to around 9.0. The HbA1c is the test that shows the average of the previous 6-12 weeks -- a deception (and self deception) proof test. Oral-medication-only diabetics aren't so tightly regulated. -- Ed Burkhead Peoria, Ill. Ercoupe N3802H, 415-D __________________________________________________________________________ ______ To unsubscribe from this list please send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________________________ Check out the new and improved Topica site! http://www.topica.com/t/13
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