If you are a diabetic, then you already know that blood sugar levels can be very low or very high. The normal level is between 70 and 100 mg/dl (3.9 to 5.6 mmol/l). If your blood sugar level is too low, it may cause you to feel lightheaded, weak, dizzy, nauseated, or faint. These are signs of hypoglycemia, and if you experience them, you should take a few minutes to get yourself some glucose to raise your blood sugar level back to normal. If your blood sugar level is high, it may cause you to become hungry, thirsty, or have an increased desire to urinate. These are signs of hyperglycemia, and if you are experiencing them, you should take some extra insulin to lower your blood sugar level back to the normal range.
When you first begin taking insulin, it may take several days before you start feeling better. You will probably feel better after you eat something with carbohydrates in it. Your doctor may also prescribe some type of oral medication that will help to lower your blood sugar level. This will help you to feel better sooner.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition where your blood sugar level is too high. It is usually caused by either too much insulin or not enough food. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous, especially when you are driving. Hypoglycemia can make you feel confused, nervous, shaky, irritable, sleepy, or dizzy.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease where your body does not produce enough insulin, or cannot use the insulin that it produces. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps your body to convert the food that you eat into energy. Insulin also helps your body to absorb glucose from your blood. When your body does not produce enough or does not use enough insulin, this can cause diabetes.
Diabetes can be controlled with diet, exercise, and sometimes with the use of oral medications. Diabetics must always monitor their blood sugar level so that they know when to eat, when to exercise, and when to take their insulin.
Insulin Control
The pancreas makes insulin to help your body use the glucose that you eat. Sometimes, the pancreas makes too much insulin, which can cause diabetes. When you are diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will give you instructions on how to control your diabetes. Your doctor will probably tell you to watch what you eat, to exercise more, and to take your insulin.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar level is too high, usually because your pancreas is not producing enough insulin or because your body is not using the insulin that it produces. If you are diabetic, your body will produce too much insulin to try to keep your blood sugar level at normal.
Diabetes Causes
Diabetes can be caused by a lack of insulin, or by a lack of insulin receptors in the body. Insulin receptors are found in the cells of the liver, muscles, fat, and brain. A lack of insulin receptors in the liver and muscle cells causes Type 1 diabetes, and a lack of insulin receptors in fat and brain cells causes Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Symptoms
Diabetes can cause many different symptoms. Some of these include:
- * frequent urination
- * excessive thirst
- * blurred vision
- * hunger
- * fatigue
- * confusion
- * loss of appetite
- * numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- * increased sensitivity to heat
- * cold hands and feet
- * increased blood pressure
- * increased heart rate
- * increased cholesterol
- * increased triglycerides
- * increased risk for heart disease
- * increased risk for stroke
- * increased risk for kidney disease
- * increased risk for eye damage
- * increased risk for infections
- * increased risk for foot ulcers
- * increased risk for skin problems
- * increased risk for gum problems
- * increased risk for dental problems
- * increased risk for sexual dysfunction
- * increased risk for urinary tract infections
- * increased risk for bladder cancer
- * increased risk for stomach cancer
- * increased risk for gallstones
- * increased risk for nerve damage
- * increased risk for premature aging
Diabetes Natural Treatments
There are many natural treatments for diabetes that can help to lower your blood sugar. Some of these natural treatments include:
- * eating foods that contain soluble fiber
- * eating foods that contain complex carbohydrates
- * eating foods that contain potassium
- * eating foods that contain calcium
- * eating foods that contain magnesium
- * eating foods that contain vitamins C and E
- * eating foods that contain chromium
- * eating foods that contain probiotics
- * eating foods that contain garlic
- * eating foods that contain flaxseed oil
- * eating foods that contain green tea
- * eating foods that contain fish oil
- * eating foods that are rich in protein
- * eating foods that contain resveratrol
- * eating foods that contain turmeric
- * eating foods that contain cinnamon
- * eating foods that contain ginger
- * eating foods that contain niacin
- * eating foods that contain aloe vera
- * eating foods that contain grapes
- * eating foods that contain oats
- * eating foods that contain asparagus
- * eating foods that contain red yeast rice
- * eating foods that contain lecithin
- * eating foods that have been fermented
- * eating foods that have had their sugar removed
- * eating foods that have added enzymes
- * eating foods that have their starches broken down
- * eating foods that have antioxidants
- * eating foods that have probiotics