Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Type 2 Diabetes – Seattle – Overview of Insulin and Blood Sugar

Type 2 diabetes, insulin, and blood sugar are often misunderstood. Insulin is responsible for transferring sugar from the blood stream to cells all over the body. When it is said that insulin lowers blood sugar, this is an indirect statement. True as it may be, it is due to its chemically removing sugar from the blood and transferring it to cells. When you hear “insulin is responsible for lowering blood sugar,” keep this in the back of your mind. It doesn’t pump in and dissolve sugar into smoke. It ONLY transfers it to cells.
Consequently, when receptors on body cells become resistant to insulin’s transfer, the body’s only response is to produce more insulin, again not used entirely due to the receptors not accepting it. Insulin in the blood stream along with high sugar cannot do anything to lower it because again, it can only transfer it. Your Goal is to maintain normal blood glucose levels.
Dangers of Low Blood Sugar
Usually we think of low blood sugars as a sign that type 2 is going well, however, blood sugar can go too low and become just as detrimental as having high blood sugars. This is medically called hypoglycemia The symptoms of lower blood sugar levels need to be treated immediately due to the possibly of fainting and slipping into a coma.
Low blood sugar can be due to the following:
  • Skipping meals and snacks
  • Not eating enough food at a meal or snack exercising longer or harder than usual without eating something extra
  • Getting too much insulin if taken, or not timing the insulin doses properly with meals, snacks, & exercise
  • Taking a long bath or shower right after an insulin shot
Symptoms of low blood sugar:
  • Trembling
  • Clammy skin
  • Pounding or fast heart rate
  • Anxiety
  • Sweating
  • Hunger
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty thinking
When blood sugar is really low, symptoms can also include confusion, headaches, seizure and possible coma.
Unless you are eating a meal right away, the best treatment for lows is a combination of simple and complex carbohydrates plus some protein. Quickly treating lows lessens stress hormone release and lowers the chance of the blood sugar going high after a reaction. You’ll feel better if the body is quickly resupplied with the fuel it needs. Your brain, muscles and other cells will thank you for not prolonging their misery.
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