Recognizing The Signs Of Low Blood Sugar In Diabetics
Learn the best ways to help someone with diabetes who is suffering from low blood sugar. While dining with friends over the holidays, one of them mentioned that a co-worker of his had a low blood sugar event while on the job. It took my friend by surprise and made him wonder what to do in such a situation. Fortunately, there was someone nearby who recognized the signs and was able to help. Do you know how to recognize if someone with diabetes is suffering from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and what to do to help them? According to the Mayo Clinic, hypoglycemia can occur in people with diabetes if there is too much insulin and not enough sugar in their blood. It can happen if they have taken too much insulin, have skipped a meal or have exercised more vigorously than usual. Early signs of hypoglycemia include sweating, shakiness, dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue and irritability. Some other early signs that may not be as noticeable to a bystander include hunger, rapid or irregular heart rate, headache and blurred vision. If the low blood sugar isn’t addressed right away, the symptoms become more pronounced. Sometimes the later symptoms may be mistaken for drunkenness. They include lethargy, confusion, behavior changes (sometimes dramatic), poor coordination and even convulsions. The best and quickest way to help someone with diabetes who is suffering from low blood sugar is to provide them with a sugary food. This should be a food that contains 15 to 20 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as 5-7 Life Savers® or similar candies, three packets of sugar, a handful of raisins or a cup of juice or regular soda. The individual should test his or her blood sugar after 15 minutes to ensure that it is within the normal range. If it isn’t, more of the fast-acting Continue reading >>
Diabetes Symptoms You Can’t Afford To Ignore & What You Can Do About Them
In the U.S., diabetes — or diabetes mellitus (DM) — is full-blown epidemic, and that’s not hyperbole. An estimated 29 million Americans have some form of diabetes, nearly 10 percent of the population, and even more alarming, the average American has a one in three chance of developing diabetes symptoms at some point in his or her lifetime. (1) The statistics are alarming, and they get even worse. Another 86 million people have prediabetes, with up to 30 percent of them developing type 2 diabetes within five years. And perhaps the most concerning, about a third of people who have diabetes — approximately 8 million adults — are believed to be undiagnosed and unaware. That’s why it’s so vital to understand and recognize diabetes symptoms. And there’s actually good news. While there’s technically no known “cure” for diabetes — whether it’s type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes — there’s plenty that can be done to help reverse diabetes naturally, control diabetes symptoms and prevent diabetes complications. The Most Common Diabetes Symptoms Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that results from problems controlling the hormone insulin. Diabetes symptoms are a result of higher-than-normal levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood. With type 1 diabetes, symptoms usually develop sooner and at a younger age than with type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes also normally causes more severe symptoms. In fact, because type 2 diabetes signs and symptoms can be minimal in some cases, it sometimes can go diagnosed for a long period of time, causing the problem to worsen and long-term damage to develop. While it’s still not entirely known how this happens, prolonged exposure to high blood sugar can damage nerve fibers that affect the blood vessels, heart, e Continue reading >>
Recognize Signs Of Diabetes In Pets
It is important to recognize the signs of diabetes in pets before the disease progresses. Without proper treatment pets with diabetes become very sick. November is National Pet Diabetes Month so it’s appropriate to help pet parents understand this disease better. What is Diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a condition that occurs when the body cannot use glucose (blood sugar) normally. Glucose is a main source of energy for the body’s cells. The levels of glucose in the blood are primarily controlled by the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas. As food passes through the digestive tract, sugars and nutrients are absorbed from the food into the bloodstream. Insulin is required for the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream to the body’s cells. If there is not enough insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin, glucose accumulates in high levels in the blood, but is not properly delivered to cells. The body’s cells become starved for energy and as a result will break down body fat and muscle for energy. When the blood glucose reaches a certain level, the glucose overflows into the urine and draws large volumes of water with it. This is why diabetic pets often drink more water and urinate more frequently and in larger amounts. What are the Symptoms of Diabetes? Recognizing the signs of diabetes early is important because the earlier treatment is started the better the prognosis is for your pet. If you see these symptoms it is important to have your pet examined by a veterinarian. -Increased water intake -Increased urination -Weight loss -Change in appetite (up or down) -Blindness or sudden cloudy eyes -Lethargy or weakness -Poor skin or coat condition Diabetes can occur at any age in dogs or cats however older pets are diagnosed more frequently. Overwei Continue reading >>
About Pet Diabetes:
Perhaps you or someone you know is diabetic. But did you know that our pets can also be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus? Just like in people, there are two types of diabetes that we see in dogs and cats. One type of diabetes is where the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. The lack of insulin production causes the body to not use glucose (sugar) as it should and glucose level climbs too high. The second type of diabetes is where the body produces some insulin, but not enough to properly control glucose levels. Pets diagnosed with diabetes can live healthy, happy lives with the proper management. Symptoms of Diabetes: Diagnosing a pet with this disease starts with recognizing the symptoms. Regardless of what type of diabetes, signs can include: Polyuria (Increased urination) Polydypsia (Increased water intake) Polyphagia (Increased appetite) Weight loss (Even with increased appetite) Weight gain Lethargy or decreased energy Cloudiness in the eyes (for dogs) Recurrent infections Slow or delayed healing The challenge is that these symptoms could also be signs of diseases other than diabetes. A thorough discussion with your veterinarian, a physical examination, and lab testing can determine whether or not your pet truly has diabetes. Treatment for Diabetic Pets: In most cases diabetes is a life long disease but most patients live a normal happy life. The management of this disease does however require care and dedication from pet owners. Diabetes is typically managed by administering insulin at the same time twice daily. Insulin comes only in the injectable form for pets. The type of insulin and the amount of insulin given will depend on how your pet species, size and health status. Our team will teach the family how to properly give these injections at home. While i Continue reading >>
Diabetes - Low Blood Sugar - Self-care
Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. A blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is low and can harm you. A blood sugar level below 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) is cause for immediate action. You are at risk for low blood sugar if you have diabetes and are taking any of the following diabetes medicines: Insulin Glyburide (Micronase), glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), repaglinide (Prandin), or nateglinide (Starlix) Chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), acetohexamide (Dymelor), or tolbutamide (Orinase) Know how to tell when your blood sugar is getting low. Symptoms include: Weakness or feeling tired Shaking Sweating Headache Hunger Feeling uneasy, nervous, or anxious Feeling cranky Trouble thinking clearly Double or blurry vision Fast or pounding heartbeat Sometimes your blood sugar may be too low even if you do not have symptoms. If it gets too low, you may: Faint Have a seizure Go into a coma Talk with your health care provider about when you should check your blood sugar every day. People who have low blood sugar need to check their blood sugar more often. The most common causes of low blood sugar are: Taking your insulin or diabetes medicine at the wrong time Taking too much insulin or diabetes medicine Not eating enough during meals or snacks after you have taken insulin or diabetes medicine Skipping meals Waiting too long after taking your medicine to eat your meals Exercising a lot or at a time that is unusual for you Not checking your blood sugar or not adjusting your insulin dose before exercising Drinking alcohol Preventing low blood sugar is better than having to treat it. Always have a source of fast-acting sugar with you. When you exercise, check your blood sugar levels. Make sure you have snacks with you. Talk to your provider about r Continue reading >>
This Is How Dogs Detect Low Blood Sugar In Folks With Diabetes
One of the many burdens that someone with diabetes has to suffer with is the task of constantly monitoring their blood sugar levels. For some people, this means pricking their finger every hour to test their blood for normal levels of glucose. For others, it means employing the help of a Diabetic Alert Dog to assist with this daunting task. A Diabetic Alert Dog is highly trained to alert someone with diabetes when their glucose levels fall out of a normal range. Source: lukeandjedi Through practice a Diabetic Alert Dog can learn to detect dropping or rising glucose levels 30 minutes before their handler experiences any symptoms. This allows a diabetic person enough time to check their glucose levels and take the steps necessary to avoid serious complications. Some Diabetic Alert Dogs are also trained to get help or retrieve medical supplies. Source: diabeticalertdog Diabetic Alert Dog can be especially helpful during situations where it’s difficult for someone to check their blood sugar with a medical device (i.e. during sleep, a business meeting, exercise, or while driving). Many people that suffer from diabetes have to wake up several times a night and check their blood sugar levels or they might go into a diabetic coma while they are sleeping. Source: service_dog_thunder So how are these amazing dog’s trained? The training for a Diabetic Alert Dog varies depending on the organization or trainer. The most highly trained Service Dogs are bred for the job and are trained from birth until they are around 18 months of age (sometimes more). Some organizations however aren’t breed specific and will train any dog with a strong nose and a willingness to work. Source: diabeticalertdog All Service Dog training begins with socialization and obedience training. During socia Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms, Signs, Diet, And Treatment
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which cells cannot use blood sugar (glucose) efficiently for energy. This happens when the cells become insensitive to insulin and the blood sugar gradually gets too high. There are two types of diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2. In type 2, the pancreas still makes insulin, but the cells cannot use it very efficiently. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot make insulin due to auto-immune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells. Type 2 can be caused by: Lack of activity (sedentary behavior) Genetics Risk factors include: Being overweight Being sedentary including watching more than 2 hours of TV per day Drinking soda Consuming too much sugar and processed food The signs and symptoms of this type of this type of diabetes are sometimes subtle. The major symptom is often being overweight. Other symptoms and signs include: Urinating a lot Gaining or losing weight unintentionally Dark skin under armpits, chin, or groin Unusual odor to urine Blurry vision Often there are no specific symptoms of the condition and it goes undiagnosed until routine blood tests are ordered. A blood sugar level more than 125 when fasting or more than 200 randomly is a diagnosis for diabetes. Treatment is with diet and lifestyle changes that include eating less sugary foods, and foods that are high in simple carbohydrates (sugar, bread, and pasta.) Sometimes a person will need to take drugs, for example, metformin (Glucophage). People with both types of diabetes need monitor their blood sugar levels often to avoid high (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Complications include heart and kidney disease, neuropathy, sexual and/or urinary problems, foot problems, and eye problems. This health condition can be prevented by following a Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes In Children
What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes an unhealthy amount of a simple sugar (glucose) to build up in a person's blood. Someone with type 1 diabetes can't produce enough insulin, a hormone that moves glucose from the bloodstream into cells throughout the body, where it supplies energy and fuels growth. Normally, a child's immune system protects her body from diseases by destroying unhealthy cells and germs. But when a child has type 1 diabetes, her body also mistakenly attacks the healthy insulin-producing cells of the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach). Without these cells, her pancreas produces very little or no insulin, which leads to an abnormally high amount of sugar in her blood. Without proper care, type 1 diabetes can cause serious, wide-ranging health problems that can damage organs throughout the body over the long-term. If your child has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it's understandable that you might worry. But diabetes can be kept under control by carefully monitoring your child's blood sugar and following her treatment plan. A team of doctors, nurses, and nutritionists can help your child be as healthy as possible and teach her to manage the condition so she stays that way. What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children? Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include: Extreme thirst Peeing more than usual (You might notice more wet diapers if your child is very young, or "accidents" if your child is potty trained.) Extreme hunger Weight loss Unusual tiredness Crankiness Yeast infection or diaper rash If your child has one or more of these symptoms, call his doctor right away. Type 1 diabetes symptoms can start quickly and become very serious without treatment. Get medical care immediately if your child has any of Continue reading >>
Symptoms, Diagnosis & Monitoring Of Diabetes
According to the latest American Heart Association's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, about 8 million people 18 years and older in the United States have type 2 diabetes and do not know it. Often type 1 diabetes remains undiagnosed until symptoms become severe and hospitalization is required. Left untreated, diabetes can cause a number of health complications. That's why it's so important to both know what warning signs to look for and to see a health care provider regularly for routine wellness screenings. Symptoms In incidences of prediabetes, there are no symptoms. People may not be aware that they have type 1 or type 2 diabetes because they have no symptoms or because the symptoms are so mild that they go unnoticed for quite some time. However, some individuals do experience warning signs, so it's important to be familiar with them. Prediabetes Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes No symptoms Increased or extreme thirst Increased thirst Increased appetite Increased appetite Increased fatigue Fatigue Increased or frequent urination Increased urination, especially at night Unusual weight loss Weight loss Blurred vision Blurred vision Fruity odor or breath Sores that do not heal In some cases, no symptoms In some cases, no symptoms If you have any of these symptoms, see your health care provider right away. Diabetes can only be diagnosed by your healthcare provider. Who should be tested for prediabetes and diabetes? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that you should be tested if you are: If your blood glucose levels are in normal range, testing should be done about every three years. If you have prediabetes, you should be checked for diabetes every one to two years after diagnosis. Tests for Diagnosing Prediabetes and Diabetes There are three ty Continue reading >>
What Is A Hypo - Hypo Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Ask questions and find support from other people with type 1 diabetes Join thousands of people taking control of their blood glucose Get all of the recipes ever published on your phone or tablet Download a free chart of the IDF recommended blood glucose ranges. Discuss complications in the Diabetes Forum Country guides for people with diabetes travelling abroad Browse test strips and get online VAT relief Join 250,009 people in the Diabetes Forum What is a Hypo: Hypo Causes, Symptoms and Treatment A hypo occurs when blood sugar falls below 4mmol/L A hypo (hypoglycemia) is triggered when blood sugar levels fall under 4 mmol/L. Too much insulin or too little food can spark a hypo. This guide details what hypoglycemia is, how to recognise hypo symptoms, and what to do when you or your child is suffering from a hypo (hypoglycemia). Symptoms of hypoglycemia vary from person to person, but people with diabetes should learn to recognise their own signs in order to treat the hypo as quickly as possible. Some of the most common symptoms of a hypo include: What to do if you think you/your child is having a hypo? If you, or your child, may be having a hypo, its often worth checking blood sugar levels as soon as the symptoms are noticed. However, if testing could delay treating the hypo by more than a minute or two, it is better to treat the hypo immediately and test as soon after as you can. Someone I know is having a hypo, what should I do? If someone with diabetes is having a hypo and is conscious, they should initially treat a hypo with 15-20g of fast acting sugary food or drink, such as: 150 to 200ml of a sugary fizzy drink (eg full sugar cola or lemonade) The priority is to bring blood glucose levels back up to normal as quickly as possible. Chocolate can be used if little e Continue reading >>
10 Surprising Symptoms Of Diabetes
Detecting diabetes can be difficult—one-third of people with type-2 diabetes don't have any symptoms. That's why it's important to have routine screenings. But what can indicate diabetes might surprise you. Dizziness Though often attributed to high or low blood sugar, feelings of dizziness and instability in diabetics are also caused by problems in the inner ear, the bodies balance control center, A 2009 Archives of Internal Medicine study found that people with diabetes are 70 percent more likely to have inner ear-related balance issues than the general population. The risk of falling was 12 times higher in study participants who reported dizziness. Irritability In an American Diabetes Association poll, more than 4,000 diabetes patients were asked to report all symptoms they experienced within the past year. Just over 20 percent of respondents reported feeling irritable. Unpleasant mood is caused by low blood sugar, which leaves the body and brain energy-starved. Though high blood sugar leads to a diabetes diagnosis, blood sugar can plummet if diabetics skip meals, drink alcohol, or eat at irregular times. Fatigue A study published in the British Medical Journal found that 67 percent of people with diabetes reported feeling lethargic prior to their diagnosis. This is due tothe high blood sugar that occurs when glucose levels are unregulated by insulin. Researchers from Scotland found that patients report feeling 16 percent less energized when their blood sugar is high compared to when their blood sugar is normal. Excessive Thirst Constant thirst, a condition known as polydipsia, is one of the most telltale signs of diabetes. Research has shown that roughly 65 percent of people have polydipsia before they're diagnosed with diabetes. Blurred Vision or Poor Eyesight Und Continue reading >>
Diabetes In Children And Teens: Signs And Symptoms
With more than a third of diabetes cases in the United States occurring in people over the age of 65, diabetes is often referred to as an age-related condition. But around 208,000 children and adolescents are estimated to have diabetes, and this number is increasing. Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of the condition among children and adolescents. A 2009 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that type 1 diabetes prevalence stands at 1.93 in every 1,000 children and adolescents, while type 2 diabetes affects 0.24 in every 1,000. In 2014, Medical News Today reported that, based on a study published in JAMA, rates of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have increased significantly among American children and teenagers. The study found that incidence of type 1 diabetes in children aged up to 9 years increased by 21 percent between 2001 and 2009, while incidence of type 2 diabetes among youths aged 10-19 years rose by 30.5 percent. The researchers note: "The increases in prevalence reported herein are important because such youth with diabetes will enter adulthood with several years of disease duration, difficulty in treatment, an increased risk of early complications and increased frequency of diabetes during reproductive years, which may further increase diabetes in the next generation." Contents of this article: Here are some key points about diabetes in children. More detail and supporting information is in the main article. Type 1 and 2 diabetes are both increasing in the youth of America Often, the symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children develop over just a few weeks If type 1 diabetes is not spotted, the child can develop diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) What is diabetes in children? Type 1 diabetes in children, previously called juve Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes In Children
Overview Type 1 diabetes in children is a condition in which your child's body no longer produces an important hormone (insulin). Your child needs insulin to survive, so you'll have to replace the missing insulin. Type 1 diabetes in children used to be known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children can be overwhelming at first. Suddenly you and your child — depending on his or her age — must learn how to give injections, count carbohydrates and monitor blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes in children requires consistent care. But advances in blood sugar monitoring and insulin delivery have improved the daily management of the condition. Symptoms The signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children usually develop quickly, over a period of weeks. These signs and symptoms include: Increased thirst and frequent urination. Excess sugar building up in your child's bloodstream pulls fluid from tissues. As a result your child might be thirsty — and drink and urinate more than usual. A young, toilet-trained child might suddenly experience bed-wetting. Extreme hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your child's cells, your child's muscles and organs lack energy. This triggers intense hunger. Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, your child may lose weight — sometimes rapidly. Without the energy sugar supplies, muscle tissues and fat stores simply shrink. Unexplained weight loss is often the first sign of type 1 diabetes to be noticed in children. Fatigue. Lack of sugar in your child's cells might make him or her tired and lethargic. Irritability or behavior changes. In addition to mood problems, your child might suddenly have a decline in performance at school. Fruity-smelling breath. Bu Continue reading >>
Warning Signs Of Type 2 Diabetes
Almost a third of people who have diabetes do not know it. That number comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, most people with prediabetes — a condition that puts people at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes — don’t know they have it. So my diabetes story, which began in ignorance, was not so unusual. I had prediabetes for a long time before the complications caused by high blood sugar led to a stroke. This is the reason I made a list of warning signs for Type 2 diabetes. Perhaps you or someone you love will see how important it is to get a simple blood sugar test. If this sneaky condition is caught early, you can avoid serious complications. The symptoms of Type 2 are well known but are easy to miss. Two of them are increased thirst and frequent urination. The word “diabetes” comes from the Greek word for “siphon.” If the beta cells in your pancreas are working, insulin is pumping into your blood to help your body digest carbohydrates like sugar and bread and noodles. But in Type 2 diabetes (or prediabetes) your cells are resistant to insulin, which leaves much of that glucose, or simple sugar, in the bloodstream. When blood glucose levels are above 250 mg/dl, the ability of the kidneys to reabsorb fluids is blocked, leading to the release of large amounts of liquid (and sugar) into the bladder. (A urine test would show high sugar content. This is why for thousands of years, diabetes was called the “sweet urine disease.”) This process uses lots of water, leading to increased thirst. Another sign of prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes is fatigue. Since your muscle cells are resisting insulin, they are not getting fed the glucose from your blood supply. It makes you tired. The problem with using fatigue as a warnin Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
Type 1 diabetes develops gradually, but the symptoms may seem to come on suddenly. If you notice that you or your child have several of the symptoms listed below, make an appointment to see the doctor. Here’s why symptoms seem to develop suddenly: something triggers the development of type 1 diabetes (researchers think it’s a viral infection—read this article on what causes type 1 diabetes, and the body loses its ability to make insulin. However, at that point, there’s still insulin in the body so glucose levels are still normal. Over time, a decreasing amount of insulin is made in the body, but that can take years. When there’s no more insulin in the body, blood glucose levels rise quickly, and these symptoms can rapidly develop: Extreme weakness and/or tiredness Extreme thirst—dehydration Increased urination Abdominal pain Nausea and/or vomiting Blurry vision Wounds that don’t heal well Irritability or quick mood changes Changes to (or loss of) menstruation There are also signs of type 1 diabetes. Signs are different from symptoms in that they can be measured objectively; symptoms are experienced and reported by the patient. Signs of type 1 diabetes include: Weight loss—despite eating more Rapid heart rate Reduced blood pressure (falling below 90/60) Low body temperature (below 97º F) There is an overall lack of public awareness of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Making yourself aware of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes is a great way to be proactive about your health and the health of your family members. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, it’s possible that you have (or your child has) type 1 diabetes. A doctor can make that diagnosis by checking blood glucose levels. Continue reading >>
