Treating future hypos question

I was getting some things together to print off for information for myself in an emergency and for my family if I am not home.

When reading over the treatment for hypos I saw a very low numbers (40s or below) treat with a TEASPOON of a sugar but in the moderate low to sever symptom lows (40-60s) you are treating with a TABLESPOON. Why would you treat with less when it is lower? Wouldn't you want to treat with a tablespoon as well?

(I do understand this is all with food as well, just confused about the sugar part if chosen to use that)

 

Are these the instructions you're referring to?

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

 

Yes they are...

 

If they are symptomatic, it's much more urgent to get the sugar up.

 

So if 40 or below and no signs I would use a teaspoon but 40 or below and symptoms I would use more?

If 40 and above and symptoms I would go ahead and start using the "more" to start with?

I think I understand that.

 

I'd wait to let the experienced folks weigh in, in case my answer isn't complete, but that is my interpretation.

 

EXERPTS from doc Chris posted above that I believe are what is confusing you:

With very low numbers without symptoms - you're just working on getting glucose back into range. That is actually just 'very low numbers'. It says give a teaspoon of sugar then food. Those simple sugars begin entering the body when it is put in the mouth where food takes longer. BUT those simple sugars will wear off but food will give support for a while.

AND

With symptoms of any kind, not only does the glucose have to be raised, the body has to get it circulating to the brain. There are neurological things happening due to the low glucose. More sugar needs to be given to release more quicker. It will wear off quick so food has to follow - sugars will release while food is starting to digest and release longer term.

Is that any answers for you?

 

Yes, that actually explains it perfectly and is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you very much Squeaky and KT (GA).

 

Yes, the difference is VERY LOW NUMBERS versus LOW NUMBERS and "With symptoms" versus "without symptoms"