DIABETES MELLITUS

The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen that secretes a hormone called insulin. Insulin is responsible for transporting glucose (sugar) from the blood stream and into your body’s cells. There are many different types of diabetes, but the two main forms include Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 refers to the absence of insulin production while Type 2 deals with insulin ineffectiveness

Symptoms of diabetes mellitus include

• Excessive thirst, urination, hunger, blurred vision, numbness in feet, weight loss, agitation, difficulty thinking or focusing, feeling tired, recurrent yeast infections or upper respiratory infections (cold).

Complications from diabetes include

• Kidney problems leading to dialysis (nephropathy)
• Vision problems leading to blindness (retinopathy)
• Nerve and sensation problems leading to dysfunction/infections/amputation (neuropathy)
• Severe complications
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Treatment for diabetes include diet, tablets, pills, non-insulin injectables and insulin

Hypoglycemia is a condition where there is not enough glucose in the system which can result in the following symptoms

Symptoms of HYPOGLYCEMIA

• Adrenergic symptoms:
• Hunger, trembling, pallor, sweating, shaking, pounding heart, anxiety
• Neuroglycopenic symptoms:
• Dizziness, poor concentration, drowsiness, weakness, confusion, lightheadedness, slurred speech, blurred vision, double vision, unsteadiness, poor coordination
• Behavioral symptoms:
• Tearfulness, confusion, fatigue, irritability, aggressiveness

Hypoglycemia requires a formal evaluation that include blood work and dietary review

Treatment usually involves ingestion of glucose followed by complex carbs