| Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood drops below what the body needs to function normally. Many pills for diabetes do not cause low blood sugar. However, some do. Usually, pills for diabetes cause the blood sugar level to drop low enough to cause only mild symptoms, such as sweating, shakiness, and hunger. If you eat something that contains sugar, your blood sugar level will rise. If you don't eat something that contains sugar, your blood sugar may drop to a very low level. Taking too many of your pills for diabetes in one day, not eating enough food, or doing strenuous physical activity can cause your blood sugar level to drop below the safe range. If your blood sugar drops very low, you could have an accident or go into a coma and possibly die. These four simple tips might save your life: · Be alert to the early signs of low blood sugar: sweating, shakiness, hunger, blurred vision, and dizziness. · Keep some hard candy, raisins, or other sugar foods with you at all times. Eat some at the first sign of low blood sugar. · Teach your friends and coworkers what to do if your blood sugar is very low. Ø What is type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that develops when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or when the body's tissues become resistant to insulin. Insulin helps sugar (glucose) enter cells, where it is used for energy. It also helps the body store extra sugar in muscle, fat, and liver cells. The stored sugar can be released and used for energy when needed. When insulin is not available or is not used properly, blood sugar rises above a safe level. If blood sugar remains high for years, blood vessels and nerves throughout the body may be damaged, putting you at increased risk for eye, heart, blood vessel, nerve, and kidney disease. Blood sugar can rise to an unsafe level even before diabetes symptoms occur. Type 2 diabetes It can develop at any age, although it usually develops in adults. It used to be called adult-onset diabetes. It also was called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), because it can often be treated without using insulin. It Between 90% and 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and secondary diabetes are other forms of the disease. Some people believe, incorrectly, that type 2 diabetes is a milder form of the disease than type 1 diabetes, but it can cause the same harmful effects as type 1. Ø What causes type 2diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, which occurs when the body's cells and tissues do not respond properly to insulin. Your weight, level of physical activity, and family history affect how your body responds to insulin. People who are overweight, get little or no exercise, or have diabetes in their family have an increased risk of developing type 2diabetes. What are the symptoms? Hallmark symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, frequent urination, and increased hunger. Unplanned weight loss, extreme fatigue, and irritability also are common. However, in type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels rise intermittently or so slowly that you may not have symptoms despite having the disease for many years before diagnosis. You may discover that you have type 2 diabetes during a regular medical checkup or during an appointment for another illness or condition, such as high blood pressure, a persistent infection, or a slow-healing wound. Some people do not find out they have diabetes until they have a complication from the disease, such as vision problems, kidney disease, nerve disease, or heart and blood vessel problems. About 18.2 million people in the United States have diabetes; of those, an estimated 17 million people have type 2. About one-third of all people with diabetes do not know that they have it. |
