O/O By Walsh's Pharmacy Limited 147 George St., Arthur, Ontario, Canada 1-519-848-2530

Types Of Diabetes Treatment Hypoglycemia Products Available OnLine Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus is the most common form of diabetes affecting over one million Canadians. Every year, over 60,000 cases are diagnosed in this country. During the normal digestive process, sugars and starches are converted into glucose. Normal pancreas produce insulin which acts on glucose to permit it to enter the body's cells to provide energy. In the diabetic, the pancreas either fails to provide any insulin, or provides insufficient quantity or quality to meet the body's needs. Insulin is essential to help sugars leave the bloodstream and enter body cells. When your body cannot manufacture enough insulin, diabetes develops. The cause of diabetes is not entirely understood, but we do know that it is hereditary. Diabetes is often related to obesity, and it may surface during emotional stress, serious illness or pregnancy (gestational diabetes). Research also shows that diabetes is more frequently diagnosed in people over 40 years of age. TYPES OF DIABETES There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1: Your body produces little or no insulin, resulting in insulin dependence. The symptoms of Type I diabetes usually happen quickly. These include: Increased hunger, increased thirst, using the washroom more often, weight loss and fatigue. Type II: Your body produces insulin, but cannot use it efficiently. This is the most common type of diabetes. Over 90% of people who are diagnosed have Type II diabetes. Symptoms for Type II may be easy to overlook. They include: Increased thirst, going to the bathroom more often, fatigue, increased hunger, dry itchy skin, slow healing of cuts and sores, lots of infections, and blurred vision. Type II diabetics are non-insulin dependent. Gestational Diabetes: A type of diabetes that occurs mainly during pregnancy. It generally disappears after the woman has given birth. This can arise when women are overweight before pregnancy, have a family history of diabetes or have had large babies (over 9 pounds). TREATMENT The treatment of diabetes includes: Nutrition therapy Insulin or tablets (some people may not require either) Exercise On-going diabetes education Coping with stress It is crucial that we maintain an acceptable blood sugar level at all times. Our blood sugar concentration increases after meals. A signal is sent to the pancreas to secrete insulin into the blood stream. Insulin prevents the liver from producing more glucose and stimulates the use of glucose by the body. Fluctuations in blood sugar are experienced by everyone throughout the day and are easily controlled by a pancreas that is working properly. People with diabetes need to follow a proper diet and sometimes take medications to control normal blood sugar fluctuations. Only your doctor can decide the best course of treatment for your diabetes. Urine testing was formerly the only tool for individuals with diabetes to assess their control. When glucose levels in our body reach a certain level, the excess will spill over into the urine. However that method was not accurate enough to assess changes in medication dosage or dietary needs, nor can it check for low blood sugars. Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems are now readily available, are easy-to-use and provide accurate and fast results in as little as 30 seconds. HYPOGLYCEMIA Hypoglycemia results when there is not enough glucose (sugar) in the blood. Common causes include: Strenuous exercises Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, Eating too little, or Missing a meal or snack Fruit juices, candy, glucose tablets, or insulin reaction gel are some of the most common quick-fixes for low blood sugar. Diabetes Care products are available in our OnLine Shopping Area

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