When most people think of sleep, they think of it fondly, as a blessed end to a long day, or a pleasant experience to round out the evening. Unfortunately, for many, sleep is not a source of comfort or something to desire but brings about fear, anxiety, and possible harm.

This particular group of people is Type 1 diabetics. Many Type 1 patients experience drastic highs and lows, some of them mitigated by insulin and proper diet while other are wildly unpredictable and seemingly impossible to curtail. One of the most frightening experiences involved in Type 1 is experiencing dangerous lows during sleep, which can be difficult to detect and may go unnoticed.

Protecting Against Dangerous Lows

Lows during sleep can cause a lot of anxiety, but they can be combated, at least in part. Keeping a close eye on your body’s signs and symptoms is important, as is tailoring your diet and insulin routines to match your unique makeup.

#1. Throw Back a Snack Before Bed

Consuming too much of a sugary item can lead to a short high followed by a huge crash. Nibbling on a square or two of chocolate or candy, however, gives your body a small lift in blood sugar levels without overwhelming your metabolic system or overriding your insulin. This may help combat overnight lows that lead to sleep interruptions or seizures.

#2. Know Your Numbers

Checking your blood sugar before bed should be a matter of habit rather than an occasional practice. Knowing your numbers directly before bed will minimize the likelihood of sustaining a dangerous low during sleep. Tracking your numbers over time is also useful as it gives you a window into your body’s trends and responses to sleep, food, activity, and rest.

#3. Practice Smart Sleep

Turn off electronics at least an hour before bed and end the night relaxed, whether that is through a small meditation or reading a book. Make sure your bedroom is dark, and your mind and body are prepared for sleep. Inconsistency in the hours before bed can wreak havoc on your blood sugar and create the perfect environment for drastic highs and lows. If your body knows what to anticipate, it will better equipped to function at its optimal levels.

Nighttime lows can be frightening, particularly in young children. With some consistency in monitoring and diligence in tracking and eating, sleep need not be a source of fear or worry.