Diabetes and Hypoglycemia
October 17, 2009 by Diabetes and Blood Glucose Tips
Filed under Hypoglycemia & Hyperglycemia
Those at risk for hypoglycemia include patients who have both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Patients who have insulin resistance also can be at risk for low blood sugar. Some people can show signs of hypoglycemia even if they do not have diabetes. Any significant drop in blood sugar can result in minor cases of hypoglycemia. Despite the advances in controlling diabetes, hypoglycemic episodes are one of the major factors in achieving favorable blood glucose levels.
Because diabetes is such a high risk disease, high blood sugar is looked at as being dire. However, many people don’t understand why low blood sugar is also bad. The reason is that the body needs fuel to work. The major fuel source is sugar which it gets from complex carbohydrates or simple sugars. A small amount of sugar is stored in the liver known as glycogen. If the body is not getting the sugar it needs, it will go to this stored sugar and make it into fuel. The brain actually depends almost 100% on sugar (glucose) to work. Obviously, the brain cannot make its own glucose and depends on the rest of the body to provide it. If the level of glucose falls too low, the brain cannot function the way it should and gives the body signs that it needs it.
There are many things the brain will tell the body to do if blood glucose levels are too low. When the liver has to start using the stored glucose, the brain will start letting the body know, “I need more sugar!” Some of the signs a person will show when glucose levels are dropping include nervousness, intense hunger, trembling, weakness, and trouble speaking. Most people, if they start to show these symptoms, will eat something with sugar and the symptoms will go away. These signs are just the beginning of hyperglycemia. If someone experiencing these symptoms consume sugar, as said before, they will start to feel better. If it is not taken care of, dizziness and fainting can occur. The brain is now saying it cannot function anymore without glucose and shuts down.
Hypoglycemia can be treated by simply allowing the blood to absorb glucose. This is most obviously done by eating foods with sugar or complex carbs. Regular soda, hard candy, juice, or plain table sugar will allow the blood to absorb the glucose it needs quickly. Once the brain has enough glucose to function, the symptoms of hypoglycemia will subside. Along with a balanced diet and medication to control diabetes, taking Diablin by Hamida Pharma can aid the body to better respond to insulin and naturally decrease the risks of diabetes-related complications such as hypoglycemia.
Thanks to Steven A Johnson for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:
Are there any natural/safe remedies for Type-2 Diabetes?
September 30, 2009 by Diabetes and Blood Glucose Tips
Filed under More Diabetes Answers
Not expecting a miracle cure, but something natural to help keep glucose levels normal.
Natural Remedies For Diabetes
Diabetes for Dummy’s - All About Diabetes
August 4, 2009 by Diabetes and Blood Glucose Tips
Filed under About Diabetes
How do people get diabetes?
When we eat any kind of food, our body takes that food and turns it into energy, or better said, into sugar while digesting it. This is what gives us the energy we need to survive. And during this process, insulin is produced from our pancreas which controls the sugar in our bloodstream. This entire process is what keeps our body healthy.
Without the pancreas producing this insulin, the sugar will stay in our blood and begin to create serious health issues. High blood sugar can cause blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and other organ function problems. And without treating high blood sugar, it can be fatal. In diabetes for dummy’s, it is vital to get tested regularly to make sure your normal blood sugar levels are safe.
What types of diabetes are there?
Type 1 Diabetes - This type of diabetes usually is associated with adolescents and children. Type 1 Diabetes is found in approximately 1 in every 400-600 children. Type 1 Diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the cells that the pancreas makes into insulin.
Type 1 Diabetes patients have to have daily insulin injections in order to survive. There is no known cure yet, but new methods are on the horizon.
Type 2 Diabetes - This type of diabetes is the most common, occurring in 90-95% of all cases. With Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas simply can not continue to produce the insulin that is required, or the cells just don’t respond to the insulin any longer. Most of the time, Type 2 Diabetes can be controlled through a proper diet and exercise plan. But, if that fails, oral medication can be prescribed to get it under control.
Gestational Diabetes - This form of diabetes is only found pregnant women. It is similar to Type 2 diabetes and it usually occurs in 2-7% of all pregnancies. Gestational diabetes is caused from the pancreas not being able to keep up with the required amount of insulin to control the glucose level. Gestational diabetes will usually go away after a pregnancy, but there is an increased risk of both mother and baby becoming diabetic later on in life.
Tests for Gestational Diabetes are usually done around the 26th week of pregnancy, which is the time insulin resistance usually starts.
Pre-Diabetes - This is also called borderline diabetes. Pre-Diabetes is diagnosed when patients are showing the signs of having high blood sugar levels and are starting to have trouble in keeping them down. One of the most important facts to realize in diabetes for dummy’s is that over 40 million people have Pre-Diabetes. That is astounding. If left untreated, Pre-Diabetes will almost always turn into Type 2 Diabetes. Anyone with Pre-Diabetes needs to change their diet and start on an exercise program. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Also, have your blood sugar levels checked frequently.
As mentioned earlier, there is no known cure for Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. The only option available to anyone with Type 1 Diabetes is to have a pancreas transplant. But, that is not a great option with the possibilities of other problems arising such as the body rejecting the new pancreas, not to mention the surgery itself. Science is working feverishly on new ways of treating diabetes including the transplanting of insulin producing cells within the pancreas, and even making an artificial pancreas.
There are even efforts to produce an inhalation device that puts out insulin instead of having to have daily injections. These advancements are on the horizon and will be available in the not too distant future. In the meantime, diabetes for dummy says to check your blood sugar levels, and know what they are. You only have one body and we all need to take care of it as best we can.
Thanks to Alien for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:
Alien writes for Diabetes Mellitus . He also writes for Diabetes diet and Diabetes causes
How long can someone live with type 2 diabetes?
August 2, 2009 by Diabetes and Blood Glucose Tips
Filed under More Diabetes Answers
I recently found out that my mother has type 2 diabetes. Its something that runs in our family plus she’s over weight and is obviously in the process of losing. Still, I like to be told straight up the dangers or what may happen with things. So be honest.
Information On Type 2 Diabetes
Signs of Diabetes
August 2, 2009 by Diabetes and Blood Glucose Tips
Filed under About Diabetes
According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), about 14.6 million people in the USA are diagnosed with the disease, while nearly 6 million people have not yet been diagnosed. In a 2005 NDIC report, the total results with regard to diabetes patients of all ages, from those of the elderly to experience toddlers May symptoms of diabetes. Typically, type 2 diabetes who suffer are usually diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 50.
The symptoms of diabetes
There are many signs that alert a person that May be suffering from diabetes. Common symptoms of diabetes May occur in bulk or a patient May an exhibition only a few. Whatever the case May, when any of the following diabetes symptoms appear, patients should contact their doctor.
Individuals should be on the lookout for: frequent urination, extreme hunger or thirst, blurred vision, sudden weight loss, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, fatigue, skin too dry, increased infections and slow healing of wounds. People with type 1 diabetes symptoms include nausea, vomiting and / or abdominal pain.
Different types of diabetes
If you experience symptoms that prove the disease, it will be diagnosed as suffering either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10% of diagnosed cases of diabetes where the immune system actually destroys the cells in the body that produce insulin. This type of diabetes May also be regarded as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes. Most people with the disease are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which involves the bodys resistance to insulin. Another type of diabetes exists, but only affects 2-5% of pregnant women. It is called gestational diabetes and has the potential to harm the mother and child when they are not treated.
From Diabetes
When accompanied by regular exercise and proper medication, healthy eating habits can relieve the symptoms of diabetes. Thanks to a balanced diet, filled with a healthy mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, good nutrition can be used as a defence against the symptoms associated with diabetes. Acceptable foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, beans, milk 2% and lean meats. The fried foods and very sweet foods should be avoided if diagnosis of diabetes.
Demand for treatment is important
When you think you are exhibiting symptoms of diabetes, an immediate visit to a doctor is required. The reason is that when diabetes is not treated, a host of debilitating health problems follows closely. Since foot problems tend to affect diabetics, there are many concerns in this area, including infection, gangrene and amputation. The eye problems are also common in people with diabetes. When left untreated, blindness May occur. Other health problems associated with diabetes untreated symptoms include heart disease and renal failure. The disease is so serious that it is a major cause of death in the USA.
Thanks to Jack Stanley for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:
Want to find out about gestational diabetes symptoms and diabetes facts? Get tips from Diagnosing Diabetes.




