What to Know if You Have a Diabetic Family Member

Posted by Rayanne on September 30th, 2021

Diabetes is a relatively common condition. If someone in your life suffers from it, then you might be understandably concerned. Without proper management, diabetes can be a life-threatening condition. Proper treatment isn\'t difficult, fortunately. A little knowledge is all you\'ll need to start helping out.

Understand What Diabetes Is and How it Works

Learning that a loved one has diabetes can be a shock. The first thing you ought to do is learn about the disease and how it works. Diabetes can be either a genetic condition or an acquired one. In both cases, the body loses its ability to properly regulate blood glucose. Diabetic patients can become hypoglycemic and go into a coma. They can also become hyperglycemic.

Type I vs. Type II:

Type I Diabetes is a genetic condition. People inherit it from their parents, and they must use insulin their whole lives. Type II Diabetes is an acquired condition. People who have this condition were not born with it. They developed it, usually as a result of a poor diet. Intaking excessive quantities of sugar can put anyone at risk of developing diabetes.

Insulin Response and Blood Glucose Levels:

Glucose is the scientific term for sugar. Glucose is metabolized by the body\'s cells to provide them with energy. It is the most readily available source of energy in the blood. Usually, your body regulates its blood glucose levels by using insulin. However, in diabetes, the body loses its ability to respond to insulin. This leads to issues controlling blood glucose levels. When those get out of whack, it can cause serious health issues.

Carry Supplements With You for Emergencies

Most of the time, the biggest risk for a diabetic patient will be hypoglycemia. In other words, they can\'t let their blood sugar fall too far. If you are hanging out with them, and they start to act drowsy, give them a glucose supplement or tablet. These will help bring their blood levels back to where they should be. Carrying some of these around with you could be a life-saver in the right situation. Any diabetic would appreciate the gesture.

Recognize the Signs of Hyperglycemia

How can you tell if someone has excessive blood glucose levels? The signs of hyperglycemia can be subtle, but they are obvious once you know what to look for.

Tiredness:

People who let their blood glucose get too high will start to feel very tired. If you notice them start to act drowsy, you might need to get some help.

Frequent Urination:

They\'ll also start going to the bathroom a lot more often than usual. High blood glucose levels cause the body to start excreting liquid at a rapid pace.

Blurry Vision:

Finally, they\'ll start losing the ability to see clearly. By this point, their levels have gotten to an extreme point. You\'ll need to get help immediately.

Recognize the Signs of Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is far more common, but it is just as problematic. This is a condition that occurs when someone\'s blood glucose levels drop too much. Fortunately, if you can get them some sugar it should rectify the situation pretty fast. Still, knowing what to look for is vital.

Becoming Very Pale:

An outside observer would notice the pale tone of their skin before anything else. When the body becomes hypoglycemic, it becomes far lighter than normal.

Erratic Thoughts:

Next, if you speak to someone who is hypoglycemic, they won\'t think clearly. They may not even be able to speak well at all.

Seizures:

It\'s not uncommon to notice them shaking. Muscle coordination tends to decline as well. At the worst, hypoglycemic people can even begin to have seizures.

Always Talk to Them About It

No matter what, if you\'d like to help someone diabetic, talk to them about it. They\'ll be able to tell you what would help them the most. Plus, if they ever start feeling bad, they\'ll be a lot more likely to let you know. Speaking to them should always be the first and last thing you do.