What do I need to know about Diabetes?
What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes, chapattis, yams and plantain, from sugar and other sweet foods, and from the liver which makes glucose.
The symptoms of hypoglycaemia can include:
• headache,
• mental confusion (which may include aggressive behaviour),
• slurred speech,
• abnormal behaviour,
• loss of memory,
• numbness,
• double vision, and
• Temporary paralysis and seizures (fits).
If you are hypoglycaemic, you may also experience trembling, faintness and palpitations, and excessive sweating. Sometimes, behaviour can be irrational, and disorderly, and may be mistaken for drunkenness.
Where can I get advice?
www.diabetes.org.uk
www.bda.uk.com (British Diabetes Society)
Tel 0121 200 8080
Fax 0121 200 8081