Sweating, nausea, vomiting, and confusion are symptoms of a diabetic situation that could merit medical attention.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), often referred to as diabetes, is characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that result from the body’s inability to produce enough insulin and/or effectively utilize the insulin. Diabetes is a serious, life-long condition and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism (the body's way of digesting food and converting it into energy). There are three forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that accounts for five- to 10-percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may account for 90- to 95-percent of all diagnosed cases. The third type of diabetes occurs in pregnancy and is referred to as gestational diabetes. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause health issues for pregnant women and their babies. People with diabetes can take preventive steps to control this disease and decrease the risk of further complications.
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MountainView Hospital answeredSee All 2 AnswersAn increase in obesity has also caused an increase in diabetes. This and other reason why type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent.
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Mercy Health answeredSee All 2 Answers
Diabetes treatment research is leading to insulin that acts more like the insulin in your body. Watch as Michelle Lalick, RN, BSN, CDE, of Mercy Health, describes some advances in diabetes treatment as researchers continue searching for a cure.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 4 AnswersIf you have diabetes, regardless of how many snacks your meal plan includes, portion sizes are the key to controlling your blood glucose and avoiding weight gain. So, resist those trips to the vending machine—plan ahead and pack a healthy snack! If you have diabetes, it is recommended that you eat foods with low carbohydrates. The following are healthy snacks that are low in carbohydrates:
Snacks with less than 5 grams of carbohydrate:
- 3 celery sticks + 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
- 5 baby carrots
- 5 cherry tomatoes + 1 tablespoon ranch
- 1 hard-boiled egg
- 1 cup cucumber slices + 1 tablespoon ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup of fresh blueberries
- 1 cup of salad greens, 1/2 cup of diced cucumber, and with vinegar and oil
- 1 frozen sugar-free popsicle
- 1 cup of light popcorn
- 2 saltine crackers
- 10 gold-fish crackers
- 16 green olives
- 1/2 cup sugar-free gelatin
- 1 piece of string cheese stick
- 2 Tablespoons pumpkin or sesame seeds
- 1/4 of a whole avocado (4 g)
About 10-20 grams of carbohydrate:
- 1/2 cup almonds or other nuts
- 1/4 cup dried fruit and nut mix
- 1 cup chicken noodle, tomato (made with water), or vegetable soup
- 1 small apple or orange
- 3 cups light popcorn
- 1/3 cup hummus + 1 cup raw fresh cut veggies (green peppers, carrots, broccoli, cucumber, celery, cauliflower or a combination of these)
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese + 1/2 cup canned or fresh fruit
- 1 cheese quesadilla (made with one 6-inch corn or whole wheat tortilla + 1 oz shredded cheese) + 1/4 cup salsa
- 2 rice cakes (with a 4-inch diameter) + 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 5 whole wheat crackers (or 3/4 oz) + 1 piece of string cheese
- 1/2 turkey sandwich (1 slice whole wheat bread + 2 oz turkey + mustard)
- 1/2 cup tuna salad + 4 saltines
About 30 grams of carbohydrate (good to eat before exercise):
- 1/2 peanut butter sandwich (1 slice whole wheat bread + 1 Tablespoon peanut butter) + 1 cup milk
- 6 oz light yogurt + 3/4 cup berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or a combination of these)
- 1 English muffin + 1 teaspoon low-fat tub margarine
- 3/4 cup whole grain, ready-to-eat cereal + 1/2 cup fat-free milk
- 1 medium banana + 1 tablespoon peanut butter
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 6 Answers
You can make changes, a few at a time, to slowly lower your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes. Here are some things you may want to change:
- how much food you eat
- the kinds of food you eat
- your activity level
- how much insulin or medication you take
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Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answered on behalf of Scripps HealthSee All 2 AnswersMost patients with diabetes focus on preventing high blood sugar, but low blood sugar can be just as dangerous.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 3 Answers
For people without diabetes, blood glucose levels rarely go over 120 mg/dl, even after eating a meal.
People with diabetes need to take action to lower their blood glucose either by injecting insulin or compensating with food or insulin at the next mealtime. You may hear that keeping your blood glucose below 130 mg/dl is the magic number. In fact, your target range may be a little higher or lower depending on several factors such as your age, capabilities, and life situation.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 9 Answers
The symptoms of diabetes include the following:
Type 1 diabetes
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Dramatic weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
Type 2 diabetes
- Any of the type 1 symptoms
- Recurring or hard-to-heal skin, gum, or bladder infections
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Itching
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 15 Answers
Diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body uses food. It causes blood glucose levels (blood sugar) to be too high.
Normally, during digestion, the body changes sugars, starches, and other foods into a form of sugar called glucose. Then the blood caries this glucose to cells throughout the body. There, with the help of insulin (a hormone), glucose is changed into quick energy for the cells to use or store for future needs. (Insulin is made in the beta cells of the pancreas, a small organ behind the stomach.) This process of turning food into energy is crucial, because the body depends on food for every action, from pumping blood and thinking to running and jumping.
In diabetes, something goes wrong with the normal process of turning food into energy. Food is changed into glucose readily enough, but there is a problem with insulin. In one type of diabetes, the pancreas cannot make insulin. In another type, the body makes some insulin, but has trouble using the insulin. When insulin is absent or ineffective, the glucose in the bloodstream cannot be used by the cells to make energy. Instead, glucose collects in the blood, eventually leading to the high glucose levels that are the hallmark of untreated diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes - used to be called juvenile-onset diabetes because it occurs most often in children and young adults. But the name was changed after doctors realized it could occur at any age. In this form of diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin or makes only a tiny amount. Insulin is necessary to life, so the hormone must be injected every day.
- Type 2 diabetes - used to be called adult-onset diabetes because it occurs most often in adults. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces some insulin but it is not used very well.
- Gestational diabetes - is high blood glucose that first occurs during pregnancy. It usually disappears after the birth of the baby, although most women will develop diabetes (usually type 2) during their lifetime.
- Prediabetes - means that blood glucose falls between "normal" and "diabetic" levels. People with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart problems.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 2 Answers
Typical blood glucose levels for pregnant women with diabetes are: Fasting 60-99 mg/dl, after meals 100-129 mg/dl.