.jpg)
.jpg)
About Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) condition caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is also known as diabetes mellitus.
In the UK, diabetes affects approximately 2.3 million people, and it's thought there are at least half a million more people who have the condition but are not aware of it.
How does diabetes occur?
Normally, the amount of (glucose) sugar in the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach). When we eat our food it is digested and enters into your bloodstream, there the insulin moves any glucose out of the blood and turns it into cells, where it is broken down to produce energy.
However, in people with diabetes, the body is unable to break down the glucose and turn it into energy. This could be for two reasons. It could be that there may not be enough insulin to move the glucose, or because the insulin that is there does not work properly.
What is Type 1 Diabetes or (insulin-dependent) diabetes ?
In type 1 diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that's released by the pancreas and helps the body to control its blood sugar (glucose) level. If you have type 1 diabetes you'll require life-long treatment, and will need to check the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood regularly. The blood/glucose level needs to be monitored several times a day in order to manage your diabetes properly and effectively.
What is Type 2 Diabetes or (non-insulin dependent) diabetes ?
In type 2 diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin, or cannot use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. This type of diabetes is usually linked to obesity. It is sometimes referred to as maturity onset diabetes because it occurs mostly in people over the age of 40.
Hyper glycaemia often only affects people with type 1 diabetes. If you have hyper glycaemia, it's normally easy to recognise the signs, and you can take appropriate steps to get it back to normal. This will usually involve adjusting the level of insulin (which is normally taken by people with type 1 diabetes) to control your condition.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you can manage your diabetes by carefully controlling your diet, or by using a combination of diet and tablets. There are some people with type 2 diabetes who also need to take insulin.
What Is Hyper Glycaemia ? (HYPER)
Hyper glycaemia occurs when there's a higher than normal level of glucose in the blood. It's generally found in people with diabetes. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 (insulin-dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent).
What is Hypo Glycaemia ? (HYPO)
Hypo glycaemia is a condition where the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood drops below a certain point - about 4.0mmol/l.
This causes a number of symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, shaking and palpitations, that usually go away 10 to 15 minutes after you have been able to put sugar into your system. Some commonsymptoms of having a hypo could be:
How is hypoglycaemia treated?
- Mild hypoglycaemia is treated by drinking or eating about 10-20g sugar, this could be in the form of sweetened juice, milk or Lucosade or glucose tablets, digestive buscuit or similar.
- In the case of a more serious hypo, it may be required to give a glucagon (GlucaGen) (a glucose-increasing hormone) This is injected directly into a muscle, or into the fatty tissue under the skin.
A glucagon kit is normally supplied on diagnosis by the hospital, so if you suffer several hypos with unconsciousness, immediate treatment is available. In this way, a hospital visit can often be avoided.
If you experience hypos repeatedly, you should measure blood sugar level at least four times a day. This allows you to adjust your insulin and know when you need a snack.
What can I do about hypo glycaemia?
- Be familiar with the warning symptoms of hypo glycaemia. This way, you can get treatment quickly. When in doubt, measure your blood sugar levels.
- Always carry sugar - preferably glucose in a rapidly-absorbed form such as glucose tablets.
- Measure glucose levels regularly. How often depends on your lifestyle - it's something that a combination of practical experience and expert advice will determine. It can vary from one or two readings a week to several readings a day. Knowing how your blood sugar levels change with various activities means you can adjust your level of insulin and minimise the risk of a hypo.
- Follow the dietician's advice and maintain regular eating habits. Some people experience symptoms of a hypo just before a main meal. To avoid this, have snacks between meals to prevent sugar levels dropping too steeply.
- Take care when exercising: exercise lowers glucose levels in the blood. You can counter this by taking less insulin than usual beforehand or by eating more before, during or just after exercise. Remember that hypo glycaemia may occur some hours after exercise.
- Carry an identity card that lets others know you have diabetes.
At night
For many people who have diabetes, a low blood sugar level during the night can be a big problem because you could sleep through it without being aware.
If you find you wake up in the mornings with a headache and feel unusually irritable, measure your blood sugar at about 3am to see how you are.
Lower your risk of a hypo by measuring blood sugar at 10pm or 11pm. If it's below 8mmol/l, it may help if you eat a snack.
Alcohol lowers the blood sugar just like insulin - so avoid alcoholic binges, eating a small snack before going to bed could help there too.
Did you know?
- The blood sugar level is the amount of glucose in the blood.
- It is expressed as millimoles per litre (mmol/l).
- A 'hypo' is the short name given to episodes of low blood sugar.
- The aim of diabetes treatment is to have as near normal levels of blood sugar as possible.
Did you know?
Hypoglycaemic episodes are categorised as:
- mild - you can manage these episodes alone.
- serious - you'll need help from others, such as a family member or doctor.
Did you know?
If you use insulin, your blood sugar level is:
- highest 1-2 hours after a meal
- lowest 3-4 hours after a meal.
IMPORTANT
The information presented on this site is for general use only and is not intended to provide personal medical advice or substitute for the advice of your doctor or physician.
If you have questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of your diabetes, please consult your diabetes care team.