Reported September 2008

Why Must Diabetics Monitor Blood Sugar?: In diabetics, simple sugars are absorbed so quickly, they trigger a rise in blood sugar levels called hyperglycemia. The pancreas produces a surge of insulin in response to remove the excess glucose from the bloodstream, but this sudden influx can't be turned on and off like faucet. Soon there is too much insulin, causing a low blood sugar level. This is called hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar levels cause the body's adrenal glands to produce extra glucose from proteins, starches and other fuel sources in the body to bring blood sugar levels back to normal.

About Type I Diabetes: Type I diabetes is known as an autoimmune disease because the body destroys its own cells: those that produce insulin. When all those cells have been destroyed, the symptoms of type I diabetes appear. These include unexplained weight loss; vision problems; more frequent urination; and feeling very hungry, thirsty or tired. Type I diabetes also means there is an increased risk of kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease and blindness.

About Type II Diabetes: Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In this form of the disease, either the body does not produce enough insulin, or the cells in the body ignore insulin. This can stop glucose from moving out of the bloodstream and into cells. Cells need the energy that glucose provides, and too much sugar in the blood can cause damage to the eyes, nerves, kidneys or heart. These complications are very similar to the threats from type I diabetes, though type II can sometimes be treated with medications and diet instead of insulin (obtained through injections or in an inhaled form).

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Karen Warmkessel
Public Affairs
University of Maryland School of Medicine
(410) 328-8919
kwarmkessel@umm.edu

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. IEEE-USA
(202) 530-8353
http://www.ieee.org
ieeeusa@ieee.org