It is easy for your diabetes to become out of control when you are sick. Because of an illness: Your blood sugar may be too high or too low. You may not be able take your diabetes medicine (if you are vomiting or having trouble keeping food or fluids down). You may not know how to adjust the timing or dose of your...
Symptoms of diabetes may include: Increased thirst and more frequent urination, especially at night. An increase in how hungry you are. Losing or gaining weight for no clear reason. Unexplained fatigue. Blurred vision.
Here is what you can do to treat low blood sugar. If at any point during these steps you think you are getting worse, seek care immediately. Eat some quick-sugar food, such as 3 to 4 glucose tablets, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey, ½ to ¾ cup (4 to 6 ounces) of fruit juice or regular (not diet) soda pop...
Guides you through the decision to take insulin for type 2 diabetes. Provides info on when insulin may be needed to control blood sugar levels. Covers benefits and risks of insulin. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Briefly discusses high and low blood sugar levels caused by diabetes. Suggests when to check blood sugar levels. Includes info on diabetes emergencies. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Learn how to find solutions to a problem related to how you manage diabetes.
Learn about the A1c test and how to make a plan to meet your safe target blood sugar level.
If you have diabetes, a minor foot injury, like a blister, can develop into an ulcer or serious infection. Infections of the feet can spread to the leg. Sometimes the infection is so severe that toes, the foot, or part of the leg must be removed by surgery (amputation). Amputations are done if the foot or leg can't be...
Learn how testing helps you make the connection between blood sugar levels and daily activities.
Keeping your blood sugar in a target range reduces your risk of problems from diabetes. These problems include eye disease (retinopathy), kidney disease (nephropathy), and nerve disease (neuropathy). If you're pregnant, staying in a target range can also help prevent problems during pregnancy. Work with your doctor to...
Learn how to use blood sugar testing to see how food or activity can change your blood sugar.
Learn how carbohydrate foods raise your blood sugar.
It's important to take care of your supplies so that you can test your blood sugar safely and get the most accurate results. Take care of your meter. Follow the care instructions from the manufacturer. Some meters need to be cleaned regularly and have their batteries changed now and then. Meters can be damaged if...
Caring for an older adult with diabetes may feel like a lot to take on. Caregiving can be challenging at times because what seems best for that person may not be what they want. You may worry about invading their privacy or free will. There's also the stress of learning how to manage diabetes and often other health...
Describes monitoring blood sugar levels in those with diabetes. Gives step-by-step instructions. Covers how to record testing results and how to prevent sore fingers.
When you have diabetes, you'll need to check your feet every day. Look at all areas of your feet, including between your toes. Use a handheld mirror or a magnifying mirror attached to the bathroom wall near the baseboard to inspect your feet. If you can't see well, have someone else use this checklist to examine your...
Cholesterol (or lipid) problems are common in diabetes. These problems are usually related to obesity and insulin resistance. They can also be related to lack of insulin in your body. Triglyceride blood levels are usually elevated. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) blood level is usually low. These abnormal triglyceride...
Discusses dealing with negative feelings that can interfere with your ability to follow your diet for diabetes. Provides ways to deal with negative feelings about your diet.
Learn what carbohydrates are and how to count them to help manage your diabetes.
Learn why counting carbs is important when you have diabetes, and get tips for how to count carbs and keep a balanced diet.
Learn why counting carbs is important when you have diabetes, and get tips for how to count carbs and keep a balanced diet.
Learn why counting carbs is important when you have diabetes, and get tips for how to count carbs and keep a balanced diet.
Learn why checking your feet daily when you have diabetes is important and how to do it.
If you take insulin or certain diabetes pills that lower blood sugar, your blood sugar may get too low at times. Low blood sugar can happen if you: Take too much diabetes medicine in a day, take your doses too close together, or take your full dose of medicine when you aren't going to eat your usual amount of food...
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood drops below what the body needs to function normally. Some medicines for diabetes can cause low blood sugar. Even mild low blood sugar can affect the way you think and respond to things around you. And mild low blood sugar can quickly drop...
There are many differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But in both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high. This increases the risk for complications, such as blindness and kidney failure. For both diseases, treatment focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a target range to help prevent...
Insulin is normally made by the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach. In people with diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes enough insulin or it stops making it. Without insulin, your blood sugar level rises to dangerous levels. When this happens, you need insulin shots to keep your blood sugar in your target range. You...
Offers step-by-step instructions for preparing and giving single-dose and mixed-dose insulin shots. Includes where on the body to give shots.
Even if you're careful and do all the right things, your child can have problems with low or high blood sugar. Teach your child to be aware of the symptoms and what to do if they occur. Symptoms of low blood sugar include: Sweating. Feeling weak and hungry. But your child's symptoms may be different. Low blood sugar...
Find out how exercise helps you control your blood sugar and helps you feel better in other ways too.
