Blood glucose levels affect everyone significantly whether those levels are high, low or normal. In the most person, too much sugar is easily managed by the body. Diabetes develops when the body produces too little insulin or no insulin at all. Insulin is needed to convert glucose, or sugar, to energy. The amount of glucose found in the blood is the blood glucose level.
Diabetes
According to the National Diabetes Information Clearing House (NDIC), in 2007 there were 23.6 million people with diabetes in the United States. A person is either diagnosed with type I diabetes, type II diabetes or gestational diabetes.
Type I diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes, is diagnosed in children and young adults, but can develop at any age. Type I diabetics do not produce insulin, which is the hormone responsible for converting the sugar in foods to energy.
Type II diabetes is the most common and occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin or when insulin is "ignored" by the body's cells. Groups at highest risk for developing this kind of diabetes include Latinos, Asian Americans, African Americans and seniors.
Gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy and clears up once the baby is born. With this form of diabetes, the body cannot make and use all of the insulin produced. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot be converted into energy, which results in higher blood glucose levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, gestational diabetes occurs in 4 percent of pregnant women.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia occurs when the body doesn't have enough sugar, resulting in low blood glucose levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, the signs and symptoms include shakiness, dizziness, sweating, hunger, headache, pale coloring of the skin, sudden mood and behavior change, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure, difficulty concentrating or confusion and tingling around the mouth. Treatment for hypoglycemia requires consumption of a half cup of fruit juice, five to six pieces of hard candy or three glucose tablets. If blood glucose levels do not rise after 15 to 20 minutes, repeat treatment. If hypoglycemia goes untreated, a person can pass out and will need immediate treatment. Eating meals and snacks as planned will help prevent hypoglycemia.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is when the body has too little insulin or cannot properly use the insulin the pancreas produces, resulting in high blood glucose level. A person with type I diabetes might not have enough insulin which results in hyperglycemia. A person with type II diabetes may have enough insulin, but the body might not be using it properly. Stress, not following a meal plan and not exercising can cause hyperglycemia in diabetics. Signs and symptoms include increased levels of sugar found in the urine, frequent urination and increased thirst. To prevent hyperglycemia the American Diabetes Association recommends working closely with a dietitian to develop a meal plan, and participating in exercise. Before exercising, check glucose levels--- if blood glucose levels are above 240 mg/dl, check your urine for ketones. If ketones are present in the urine, then do not exercise and consult a doctor as ketones can increase glucose levels. When diet and exercise are not enough, medications and insulin may be prescribed to keep glucose levels low. If hyperglycemia is not treated, ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) can occur. The signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis include shortness of breath, breath that smells fruity, nausea, vomiting and dry mouth.
