Acute Complications
In Type 2 diabetes, this blood sugar level is considered too low and can happen when meals are skipped or when diabetes medications work too strongly. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is less than 4 mmol/L?
This is the first treatment for low blood sugar. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is 15–20 g of fast‑acting sugar?
High blood sugar over time can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes and affect your vision. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is diabetic retinopathy?
This simple yearly urine test checks for early kidney damage by looking for protein. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is the urine albumin‑to‑creatinine ratio?
This hormone helps move sugar from your blood into your cells, and diabetes happens when your body doesn’t make enough of it. (Diabetes Canada, 2023)
What is insulin?
People with Type 2 diabetes can develop this emergency when the body cannot use insulin properly, leading to very high blood sugar, ketone buildup, and acidity. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
This IV fluid is started first in DKA or HHS. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is normal saline (0.9% NaCl)?
Nerve damage from diabetes can cause numbness, tingling, or burning in your feet. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy)?
This eye treatment can help protect your vision if diabetes has damaged the blood vessels in your eyes. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is laser treatment?
Meals that combine protein (like eggs or lentils), vegetables, whole grains, and a serving of fruit help keep blood sugar steady throughout the day. (Diabetes Canada, 2023)
What is balanced meal planning for diabetes?
This life‑threatening condition is more common in older adults with Type 2 diabetes and causes extremely high blood sugar, severe dehydration, and confusion, but almost no ketones. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)?
This electrolyte must be monitored closely during insulin therapy because insulin shifts it into cells. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is potassium?
Diabetes can slowly damage the kidneys, making it harder for them to filter waste from your body. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is diabetic kidney disease (nephropathy)?
These blood‑pressure medications help protect your kidneys, even if your blood pressure is normal. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What are ACE inhibitors or ARBs?
This blood test shows your average blood sugar over the past three months. (American Diabetes Association, 2024)
What is the A1C test?
In Type 2 diabetes, this symptom can appear during low blood sugar episodes and may be mistaken for alcohol intoxication. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is confusion?
This is added to IV fluids when blood sugar reaches about 14 mmol/L during DKA/HHS treatment. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is dextrose?
When nerves in the feet are damaged, the bones can weaken and change shape, leading to serious foot problems. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is Charcot foot?
This quick foot test checks whether you can still feel light pressure, helping prevent sores and infections. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is the 10 g monofilament test?
Checking your blood sugar with a blood glucose meter or BGM helps you see your levels, prevent emergencies, and adjust your insulin safely. Using insulin pens, syringes, or pumps correctly helps keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. (Diabetes Canada, 2023)
What is managing Type 2 diabetes with blood glucose monitoring and insulin use?
This deep, rapid breathing pattern can occur in severe DKA, which sometimes develops in people with Type 2 diabetes during illness or infection. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is Kussmaul breathing?
This medication is used when a person with low blood sugar cannot swallow. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is glucagon?
This skin change, often on the neck or armpits, looks like dark, velvety patches and is linked to insulin resistance. (Montada‑Atin, 2023)
What is acanthosis nigricans?
Checking your feet every day for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling helps prevent serious infections caused by nerve damage. This checklist explains what to do and what to avoid to protect your feet. (Diabetes Canada, 2023)
What is proper foot care for people with diabetes?
This condition happens when the body cannot use insulin properly, causing sugar to build up in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. It used to be called “adult‑onset diabetes,” but now affects people of all ages. (Mayo Clinic, 2024)
What is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?