KYLEE JOHNSTON

Imagine having to constantly worry about your blood sugar and feeling weak and tired every day of your life. Having to wake up in the middle of the night shoving candy down your throat because your blood sugar dropped drastically. The pain you have to endure when you stab yourself with a needle. This is what life is like with diabetes.

Diabetes deals with blood sugar and the pancreas. High protein and a low carbohydrate diet is essential for both type one and type two diabetics. The cause of type one diabetes is unknown, but research shows it is related to the immune system attacking the pancreas. Doctors cannot figure out why some people’s immune systems attack itself.

Type two is developed by obesity and an inactive lifestyle. While type two may require medication, the pancreas still produces insulin. Type one is insulin dependent. Insulin is what your pancreas produces to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. In serious situations, blood sugars can fluctuate and can drop dangerously low, which can end in a seizure or loss of consciousness. If this happens, glucose is required immediately. Some signs of low blood sugar are disorientation, dizziness, headaches, paleness, and shakiness. High blood sugar can be a problem as well. If blood sugar goes too high, depending on the person, they can go into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This is extremely high blood sugar, almost resulting in a coma or possible death. In this case, pushing fluids and taking insulin is key to saving your life. If you notice these signs in an individual, call 911 immediately.