There are many questions that will go through your mind once you get a diagnosis of diabetes. Each of these questions is in a separate section, with a clickable embedded link, that will explain in full detail its answer. If you have any other diabetes questions, see the complete Diabetes Section at Suite 101.
What Happens When Blood Sugar is Too Low?
Too low a blood sugar reading, called hypoglycemia, is a blood glucose level under 70 or 80 (Depending on your source).
What Happens When Blood Sugar is Too High?
Too high a blood sugar reading, called hyperglycemia, is a sustaining blood glucose reading over 180.
What is A1C?
Depending on whether you want to know what the A1C test number means or what is considered a good A1C number, the links have full answers to these questions.
What about Alcohol Use in Diabetes?
Diabetics and pre-diabetics need to know the effect that alcohol has on their systems.
Actos is the brand name of the United States version of pioglitazone (otherwise named Glustin in Europe and Zactos in Mexico) and is marketed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals to diabetics. It is more commonly given to type 2 diabetics than to type 1 diabetics, and typically in combination with insulin or metformin (type 1 diabetics cannot use metformin).
How Do You Give a Glucagon Shot?
For diabetics, one of the most needed things (except for insulin) is having a glucagon shot and someone capable of using it when necessary.
What Are Some Other Health Issues Diabetics Can Face?
There are a range of consequences for those having diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy.
What Are the Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
Diabetes affects millions of people worldwide, the more that each individual understands about the differences between the type 1 and type 2 diabetes conditions, the more they can be helped.
What is the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test?
Currently there is only one test to check for any type of hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar). Known as the oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT), it is a basic “stress test” for the pancreas to see how it reacts to an overload of sugar
How Can I Get Free or Low Cost Diabetes Medications and Insulin?
Medications are costly when diabetes is the condition treated. If there isn’t an insurance program helping out the patient, many times the patients will not get the treatment they deserve due to cost issues. These are some of the ways that the uninsured can get their diabetes medications and insulin free.
What’s the Right Way to Throw Out Syringes and Needles?
Years ago many threw away their diabetic syringes, lancets, and needles in the trash. Some I’m sure are still doing it this way. However, one should never just throw needles into trash or any waste receptacles as it can be potentially dangerous.
Diabetes can be a challenge, but it can also be a way of life. Arming yourself with the most knowledge is the easiest way to make it something you live with instead of a condition you’re fighting.
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
