There are several types of diabetes including type 1, which occurs when the pancreas does not make insulin; gestational diabetes, which develops in some women during pregnancy; and type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body cannot use insulin properly. Type 2 is the most common and accounts for about 90 percent of all cases, according to 2008 information from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. However, all diabetics need to monitor their blood sugar levels to avoid complications.
Diabetes
After eating, your body breaks down the food into glucose or blood sugar to provide energy. Glucose that is not used right away is taken to the cells and stored for later use. The hormone insulin must be present for the body to use glucose properly. If no insulin is available, or if the body cannot use it, blood sugar levels can get too high. High blood sugar levels that are not well controlled can lead to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputation and nerve damage. It can also complicate pregnancy or cause birth defects. Treatment is aimed at keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range because it can be just as dangerous to let blood sugar levels drop too low. After being diagnosed with diabetes, your physician will recommend a range for your blood sugar levels based on your personal health.
Exercise, Diet and Stress
An important part of managing diabetes is to test your blood sugar levels often as there are many factors that can influence it. The type of food eaten and the combination of foods in a meal, can all raise or lower blood sugar levels and each patient responds differently. Regular exercise is essential for those with diabetes, but exercise will cause the body to take up more glucose, so blood sugar levels can change dramatically during and after your workout. Illness and even stress can affect blood sugar levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, when under stress you may make poor food choices and skip your exercise and the hormones your body releases when stressed, can alter blood glucose levels. Give the above, you blood sugar levels can vary from hour to hour and day to day, so regular testing is the only way to avoid dangerous blood sugar levels.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is the term used for blood sugar levels that get too high. Diabetes is diagnosed when your fasting blood glucose level is 126 or higher on two or more tests. However, if you are diabetic and your blood sugar level climbs to 250 or greater, or if your level is 180 mg/dL for 3 days in a row, you need to talk to your doctor about your treatment plan, states the Joslin Diabetes Center. Blood sugar levels of 250 or greater can lead to the production of ketones, which are detected through a urine test. Ketones are created because the body starts breaking down fat for energy since it cannot use the glucose. Ketones can cause diabetic-related complications, serious illness and can be fatal. Testing blood sugar levels is the best way to know if your blood sugar is too high, because high blood sugar levels can exist without causing symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they include increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth or skin, fatigue, changes in vision, frequent infections, wounds that heal slowly or not at all or unexplained weight loss.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is diagnosed when levels drop below 45. Hypoglycemia can occur due to skipping meals or taking too much insulin and it can be fatal if not properly managed. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include sweating, shakiness, increased heart rate, anxiety, weakness, dizziness, difficulty concentrating and blurred vision. In extreme cases, a patient can lapse into a coma. Eating a carbohydrate-rich snack can help milder cases, while an injection of glucose by a medical provider is necessary in severe cases.
