Health Tips for June 14

Health Tip: Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar rises too high because your body doesn't produce enough of the hormone insulin, or the insulin doesn't work correctly.

Insulin, made by the pancreas, helps body cells absorb sugars from food.

Here are some common warning signs of diabetes, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

* Excessive thirst and urination.
* Feeling very hungry frequently.
* Feeling very tired.
* Unintentional weight loss.
* Frequent infections, or wounds that don't heal.
* Blurred vision.
* Numbness or tingling in hands and feet.
* Dry, itchy skin.

If you have any of these symptoms, visit your doctor to be tested for diabetes, especially if you are 45 or older.

Health Tip: Understanding Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, the medical term for low blood sugar, is a common complication among people with diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association offers this list of warning signs and treatments for hypoglycemia:

* Symptoms may include dizziness, shakiness, sweating, headache, hunger, pale skin, sudden mood change, tingling around the mouth, and confusion.
* Treat hypoglycemia as soon as you notice symptoms. The condition can quickly become an emergency without treatment, if blood sugar drops dangerously low.
* Eat some sort of sugar, such as a few pieces of hard candy, 1/2 cup of fruit juice, or glucose tablets.
* Have a glucagon (a medication that quickly raises blood sugar) syringe on hand. In the event that you pass out, make sure friends and family know how to immediately use the shot. This is a medical emergency, and in addition to getting the shot, you should receive emergency care.