Your brain and body use sugar for fuel much like a car uses gasoline. When a problem occurs with the way the body gets or uses sugar, the brain will not function properly. Your brain is the organ in your body most sensitive to changes in blood sugar levels, therefore it will be the first noticeably affected system. Blood sugar problems are referred to as diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and pregnancy complications.

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose. This can result from defects in insulin production or insulin action. Type 1 diabetes is also know as juvenile-onset diabetes. This develops as a result of the body's immune system destroying pancreatic cells. Usually children and young adults are affected and may require several insulin injections each day. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10% of all diagnosed case of diabetes. It is estimated that over 150,000 children in the US have diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult-onset diabetes and may account for 90-95% of diabetic cases. Adult-onset diabetes is associated with many traits including older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, physical inactivity and race. That being the case, decreasing your risk factors may also decrease your risk of diabetes. Studies show that interventions of diet control and moderately intense physical activity can reduce your risk 40-60%. Type 2 diabetes is also easier to control than Type 1 as many patients use diet, exercise and oral medications instead of insulin injections.

Diabetic reactions can be split into two categories. The first, hypoglycemia, is a condition in which the body is unable to efficiently utilize sugar in the blood for its metabolic needs. This is due, in many cases, to a dysfunctional or non-functioning pancreas. The second type of reaction, known as hyperglycemia, is much less common. This occurs when the level of sugar in the blood is above normal. Both types of reactions can be caused from poor diet, infection, illness or undue stress.

The pancreas is the organ in your body responsible for producing the hormone insulin. Your pancreas lies just below and to the right of your stomach. The body uses insulin to facilitate the metabolism of blood sugar. Insulin acts much like a key to unlock the cells and allow sugar usage. A normal, healthy pancreas regulates the amount of insulin produced based on the amount and type of food intake.

It is estimated that 17 million Americans have diabetes, although nearly 5.9 million have yet to be diagnosed. Diabetes is the nation's sixth leading killer, claiming nearly 70,000 lives per year. Lack of diagnosis is routinely blamed on fatigue, poor eating habits or stress.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a condition that comes on very rapidly and the effects are noticeable immediately. The low blood sugar patient will have a profound sympathetic response (nausea, rapid pulse, pale 8. sweaty skin). In addition, they may illicit slurred speech and inappropriate behavior and can be confused with a person under the influence of alcohol.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may take several days for symptoms to be noticeable. Signs and symptoms include generalized weakness, a decreased level of consciousness, a slow onset sympathetic response and fruity (ketone) smelling breath.

A diabetic patient whose pancreas produces no insulin at all must take daily injections. Some diabetics have a partially functioning pancreas and can control the disease by controlling their diet or by taking pancreas stimulating medications. Much research is being done to find new and innovative ways to treat and even cure diabetes.

Insulin pumps have made great strides to free up the insulin dependent diabetic's life. This small, computerized pump, about the size of a large pager, is worn underneath the patient's clothing or on a belt. A small catheter is placed into the fatty tissues of the patient's stomach and insulin is infused into the bloodstream on a continual basis. Because the amount of insulin delivered is so small, it more closely mimics the body's natural insulin dosing. This prevents the high's and low's attributed to injectable insulin. By receiving a continual, low dose of insulin, the diabetic is able to lead a more normal life.

The recommended first aid treatment for a diabetic patient is sugar. Giving sugar to a hypoglycemic diabetic works like adding gasoline to a car. It allows them to restart their engine. In the case of an insulin reaction, sugar is required to reverse the condition. If the patient is responsive and alert enough to hold a cup in their hand, they are able protect their own airway. Giving them sugar by mouth works nicely. An easy way to do this is to take a glass of orange juice or non-diet pop, add 10 tablespoons of

If the patient is unresponsive, don't place anything in their mouth that may obstruct their airway. Liquids, hard candies or other food sources may end up causing an airway obstruction. The area of the mouth between the cheek and gums (vestibule) is highly vascular and sugar absorption happens rapidly. Placing pea-sized amounts of cake frosting or honey in the patient's vestibule and rubbing it in with your gloved finger can bring about a reversal of the patient's condition. Keep the patient in the recovery position until they are responsive enough to protect their own airway. Once alert, the patient needs some long-term fuel such as peanut butter, meat or cheese.

If your patient suffers from too much blood sugar, the amount of sugar you could provide can do no additional harm. The hyperglycemic patient is in need of a regulated dose of insulin which is a treatment you are unable to provide at the first aid level. If sugar does not bring the patient around, recheck for other causes of unresponsiveness; airway obstruction, seizure, heart attack, etc. Continue to manage the ABC's, place the patient in the recovery position and always call 91 1 for a diabetic emergency.