Diabetics, especially those who take insulin, are most likely to develop hypoglycemia, the medical term for blood glucose levels below 70 mg/dL, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. Non-diabetics can...
Beta blockers are a class of medications that work by blocking a type of cell receptor known as a beta receptor. The medications in this class are commonly used to treat high blood pressure, but are also used to reduce the risk of death in...
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs frequently in diabetics, particularly insulin-dependent diabetics. Hypoglycemia can cause serious problems in diabetics, who must always be aware of the possibility of developing low blood sugar levels....
Diabetes causes changes in blood sugar levels that can occur suddenly, especially after eating. While most diabetics focus on how high their blood sugars rise after eating, a sudden drop in blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, can also cause serious...
Blood sugar, or glucose, serves as the primary fuel used by the body tissues to generate the energy necessary to carry out their respective functions. The hormones insulin and glucagon control the blood sugar level through opposite mechanisms....
ACCU-CHEK is the brand name for one of many systems designed to monitor blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Checking blood sugars helps you monitor how well you are controlling your diabetes, a very important task since diabetic...
Very low blood sugar, or diabetic hypoglycemia, is dangerous and may occur as a side effect of diabetes medications. Glucose levels below 60 mg/dl affect your body and brain in a variety of ways. In severe cases, diabetic hypoglycemia may cause...
In most people, a blood sugar increase with a meal results in insulin secretion from the pancreas. This hormone helps glucose enter the cells of the body, where it is used as fuel. In a diabetic person, however, the effects of naturally occurring...
Keeping blood sugar levels within the normal range is important for good health. People with diabetes need to take special care with blood sugar control because their body does not use insulin properly. Among elderly diabetics, controlling blood...
Diabetes is a condition in which the blood has too much sugar in it. This is due to the body not producing enough insulin, which is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Diabetes can be caused by the pancreas (which makes insulin) being damaged by...
Low blood sugar is a common complication of diabetes treatment, especially for people who use insulin. If you have diabetes, it is vitally important that you know how to treat a low blood sugar reaction. The 15-15 rule is a plan for treating low...
Hypoglycemia -- the medical term for low blood glucose levels -- causes unpleasant and even potentially life-threatening symptoms, particularly if you have diabetes. Drinking alcohol can potentiate hypoglycemia, even several days after you drink,...
According to the American Diabetes Association, all diabetics have episodes of hypoglycemia, also known as low blood glucose or blood sugar, at one time or another. Because hypoglycemia is such a common side effect of diabetes, all diabetics...
After a meal, food is converted into glucose, a simple form of sugar used for energy by the body. In order for the cells to be able to use the sugar, insulin must be present. In persons with diabetes the body either does not make enough insulin or...
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is a serious condition that can occur if you have diabetes. The signs of hypoglycemia vary from person to person, and it's important to get to know your own body and how it reacts to low blood sugar. The more you...
Regular exercise should be a key part of a diabetic's health regimen and can aid in regulating blood glucose levels. However, low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, may occur before, during and up to 24 hours after exercise in those with diabetes....
Autonomic neuropathy refers to a group of symptoms resulting from damage to the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The autonomic nervous system is the network of nerves that regulate many unconscious processes in the body such as heart rate, blood...
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels. All type 1 diabetics -- who have lost the ability to produce insulin -- and some people with type 2 diabetes rely on insulin replacement therapy to...
If you experience fatigue and headaches after eating, you might be suffering from a condition known as reactive hypoglycemia, also called postprandial hypoglycemia, which is characterized by decreased blood glucose levels one to three hours after...
A diabetic coma is a serious, life-threatening complication of diabetes in which the patient falls into a state of unconsciousness. It constitutes a medical emergency if left untreated, since it may result in permanent brain damage or death, as...
If you are one of the many older adults with diabetes, stabilizing your blood sugar levels can involve many contributing factors, such as co-occurring conditions and the length of time you have had diabetes. Cognitive impairment, chronic pain,...
Having low glucose levels in the blood is also known as low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, efined as blood glucose levels less than 70 mg/dl, can occur in people with diabetes or in people with an error in processing sugars and...
Hypoglycemia is a medical condition that describes when the blood sugar level drops too low. A normal blood sugar falls between 70 and 110 milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. The condition...
Unlike soft drinks, which receive the majority of their calories from sugar, beer gets its calories from alcohol content. Although light beers are generally lower in carbohydrates and calories than darker beers, there are comparable quantities of...
While most people are concerned about too high of a blood sugar level due to diabetes, you can also have problems if your blood sugar level gets too low. A low blood sugar level is called hypoglycemia. If you do not have enough blood sugar or...