Mother diagnosed with orthhypotension. and thinks she has a "sugar" problem. Conttantly taking her sugar readings and always fine. Obsessed to find out what is wrong with her. she gets lightheaded in the afternoon and dwells on her sugar.
I don't understand why she even has a glucose meter, now that it is determined blood sugar isn't the problem. Still, other than the cost of a buck a pop I suppose there isn't a lot of harm in taking a reading if that comforts her. The between meal snacks to keep blood sugar level need to include carbs along with protein. For example, cheese and crackers, or apple wedges spread with peanut butter. Just a slice of cheese would not help. But really, since your mom doesn't have low blood sugar it probably doesn't matter what she has for snacks, if anything.
As I understand it (NOT a medical person), orthohypotension is not so much a diagnosis as a description of symptoms. The blood pressure takes a dive when posture changes, such as when we sit up from lying down, or stand up from sitting. This can be caused by a number of things and how it is treated depends on what it is causing it. For example, my husband's orthohypotension is probably related to his Lewy Body Dementia. I understand it is common with that disease and with Parkinson's. It is common for a number of causes -- I'm certainly NOT suggesting that your mom has one of those conditions! Just saying that there could be a lot of reasons for this.
If her doctors are aware of it, and if she gets enough warning so that she is cautious and not at risk of falling, then a nice nap in the afternoon sounds like a good soltuion to me!
no, her sugar is usually 100 - 108. Diabetic nurse told her to keep her sugar from dropping by eating in between meals, protein etc. She cant understand why she gets lightheaded but boy when she does, she shuts down, lays down and naps. Then she feels better. Always the best after dinner. Quite a night owl.
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As I understand it (NOT a medical person), orthohypotension is not so much a diagnosis as a description of symptoms. The blood pressure takes a dive when posture changes, such as when we sit up from lying down, or stand up from sitting. This can be caused by a number of things and how it is treated depends on what it is causing it. For example, my husband's orthohypotension is probably related to his Lewy Body Dementia. I understand it is common with that disease and with Parkinson's. It is common for a number of causes -- I'm certainly NOT suggesting that your mom has one of those conditions! Just saying that there could be a lot of reasons for this.
If her doctors are aware of it, and if she gets enough warning so that she is cautious and not at risk of falling, then a nice nap in the afternoon sounds like a good soltuion to me!
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