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Islets of Hope for persons newly diagnosed with diabetes |
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Article by Lahle Wolfe. For reprint information e-mail: Editor@isletsofhope.com Links to more comprehensive information on complications of diabetes Amputation
Free Islets of Hope publications to Print Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) - IOH Publication DKA-1-2006; 7 pages (updated 01/2006) Hypoglycemia Reactive and Fasting Hypoglycemia Hyperglycemia How to Prepare & Inject Glucagon for Treatment of Severe Hypoglycemia (Illustrated) Prepare ahead for emergencies, about hypoglycemia, about glucagon, illustratred step-by-step instructions on how to prepare and inject glucagon, and what to do afterward. You can also print selected fast-reference excepts from this full-length publication: TRE-1-2006-fr | |||||||||
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Complications of diabetes This section: Diabetic Ketoacidosis * Insulin Shock * Seizure, Convulsion & Coma Other complications: Amputation * Blindness * Diabetic Ketoacidosis * Diabetic Neuropathy * Diabetic Retinopathy * Click on any link to read more in-depth information about each topic. When not enough insulin is present blood sugar runs too high. The body begins to use fat stores as an energy source. Ketones, a byproduct of burned fat, are produced and quickly reach dangerous levels. High ketones lead to a state called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which can result in coma, or death. Newly diagnosed persons with type 1 diabetes are often in a state of DKA and need to be hospitalized in order to be stabilized. DKA is something that you should never attempt to treat on your own. If you detect moderate or higher ketones in your urine, be sure to immediately call your doctor for instructions. When too much insulin is given, too little food is eaten with insulin, or during exercise, blood sugar levels can drop dangerously low resulting in "insulin shock." Untreated, a person can lose consciousness, slip into coma, or die. Different people may have various “normal” ranges of blood sugar that feel comfortable to them, and not everyone experiences symptoms of insulin shock at the same range. However, any reading of 50 mg/dL or lower can quickly lead to a situation where a person can lose consciousness, or become confused and disorder to the extent they are unable to care for themselves. Contrary to what many that are uneducated about diabetes may think, sugar does not present the most imminent danger to someone with diabetes – insulin and insulin enhancing/sensitizing drugs do. This is because a person on shot therapy “feeds” the insulin. That is, they eat in accordance to how much insulin is given, and when it cycles through the body. A person on an insulin pump has greater flexibility and no longer has to eat to support the insulin, but can still experience hypoglycemia if basal rates are set too high, or the meal bolus is not calculated correctly. When too much insulin is present blood sugar levels will drop too low. Cells don’t get the sugar energy that they need because not enough glucose is present in the bloodstream and cells can eventually be damaged. Symptoms of insulin shock (hypoglycemia) include
Hypoglycemia can also happen while you are sleeping. You might
You may be interested in printing Islets of Hope's free publications on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). When blood sugar falls too low, seizures can result. Insulin shock, an extreme episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is caused by too much insulin in the body. Untreated, insulin shock can lead to coma and death. Severe hypoglycemia can occur rapidly, even over minutes, and should always be treated as an emergency. High blood sugar levels can also lead to coma and death but generally takes hours, or days of being in a state of DKA (see above) before coma results. A seizure (or convulsion) occurs as a result of a burst of simultaneous, contradictory signals from brain cells. There are many causes of seizures including head trauma, fever, illness, and in the case of people with diabetes, both hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) can cause seizure, convulsion, coma, and even death. During a seizure a person is unaware of their surroundings even if they may seem alert on some level. If the seizure is a result of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) do not attempt to feed the person who can easily choke. Instead, give a shot of glucagon and call 911 if necessary. Important Medical Disclaimer All material found on this site is intended for general informational purposes only. This site should not be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for professional medical care. IOH recommends that you seek the advice of a competent health professional for diagnosis and treatment options, or before making any changes to your current diabetes care plan. | |||||||||
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