DIABETES AWARENESS
Know the illness. Know the type. Know how to treat.
What is Diabetes? Are there types?
Diabetes is a metabolic glucose disease causing an inability to regulate the level of glucose in the blood. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to travel from the bloodstream into the cells. There are two types of diabetes; type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults; only 5% of people diagnosed with diabetes have this type. In type 1, the body does not produce insulin at all. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance.
What are the symptoms? Is there treatment?
Symptoms for type 1 diabetes include: increased thirst, frequent urination, bed wetting in children who previously didn't wet the bed during the night, extreme hunger, unintended weight loss, irritability and mood changes, fatigue and weakness, and blurred vision. Symptoms for type 2 diabetes are the same but include slow-healing sores and frequent infections, and areas of darkened skin. There is treatment for diabetes. Those who have type 1 diabetes can take insulin, carbohydrate counting, frequent blood sugar monitoring, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. Those who have type 2 diabetes are subject to the same types of treatment but may require more intense versions of treatment and may be required to receive more medication. For diabetes prevention: eat healthy foods, get more physical activity, and lose excess pounds.
Diabetic Emergencies
There are two type of diabetic emergencies: hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Hypoglycemia is referred to as insulin shock- the body has an insufficient amount of blood. Hyperglycemia is a condition in which the body's blood sugar level is to high to maintain. When it comes to treating diabetic emergencies: notify EMS, treat for shock and monitor vital signs, if victim is conscious and able to swallow, administer any form of glucose, don't give glucose to an unconscious victim, and have the victim administer insulin or glucagon. Hypoglycemia victims need sugar however if you give sugar to someone suffering from hyperglycemia it will do no harm to them.