Health Center - Diabetes
About eight percent of all Americans have diabetes, and the rate is increasing. Learn more about this prevalent and life-threatening disease, including common symptoms, how it affects your health, tips to manage it and prevent complications and ways to reduce your risk factors.
Diabetes Guide
Hypoglycemia—Avoiding the Lows of Insulin Therapy
Insulin therapy can cause hypoglycemia, or a blood sugar level less than 70 mg/dL. Hypoglycemia occurs when you have too much insulin in your body and not enough blood sugar (glucose) in your cells. For instance, if you take rapid-acting insulin before lunch but don't eat for an hour, your blood sugar levels will drop, putting you at risk of hypoglycemia. Exercising, which reduces blood sugar by improving insulin sensitivity levels, can lead to hypoglycemia. Stress and illness also can cause erratic blood sugar patterns.
