Hypoglycemia unawareness is a health condition where an individual with diabetes does not experience the normal very early caution signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level). Normally, when an individual’s blood sugar falls, the body attempts to elevate it by launching hormones, glucagon and epinephrine. Glucagon stimulates the liver to launch stored blood sugar. Epinephrine…
Here’s a brief story about a type 1 diabetic, driving and hypoglycemia. My friend has type 1 diabetes and uses an insulin pump had some issues when she was driving last summer. While driving her young son to get ice cream on familiar roads, her sugar dropped dangerously low. Recalling from that ride is how the…
If you are recently new to diabetes then you’ve probably been wondering why your blood sugar levels are high when you wake up in the morning. Dawn Phenomenon! One of the main reasons for elevated glucose levels in the AM is from something called the Dawn Phenomenon. This happens when you are sleeping. Usually during sound…
DIABECELL is a cell therapy where insulin producing islet cells are taken from the pancreas of a pig. The islets are then encapsulated into an alginate material. The encapsulated porcine cells are then implanted into the abdomen of patient’s with type 1 diabetes. It’s done via an easy laparoscopic procedure. After the procedure, the self-regulating…
The Artificial Pancreas is a smart idea and does show promise in controlling blood sugars for type 1 diabetics who are currently using insulin pumps. The system uses a modified iPhone connected to a glucose monitor and pumps that deliver the insulin and glucagon. It mimics the natural release of daily insulin and eliminates injections….
One of the major challenges for a diabetic is maintaining their Diabetes and Stress levels. I’ve been through many stressful periods during my diabetes life. I’ve also noticed when stressed out my sugar levels go up and are very difficult to maintain at normal levels. They say “STRESS KILLS” especially in people who have heart…
I’ve always been a very active person so avoiding hypoglycemia is always a top priority for me. Since having diabetes I must focus more on my condition when doing activities. This includes exercising, all sports including hockey, baseball, football, basketball or any pickup game I was called on by friends and family. Before I was…
When I was first diagnosed with diabetes my first reaction was, “who me? No way, I can’t have diabetes”. When I came to terms with myself about having this annoying disease, I realized that the exercise importance was a big deal to feeling better. Of course I forgot to mention “DIET” as my #1 important…
I’d like to welcome everyone to my website, diabetesknow.com (Diabetes in the Know) or Diabetes Knowledge. My name is Kenny and I’m a type 1 diabetic for over 20 years now. I use a Paradigm 523 insulin pump for my diabetic treatment. I’ve been very happy with my pump therapy since I started using it…