From: bch@juliet.caltech.edu (MR. MAPLE)
Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition
Subject: Re: hypoglycemia
Date: 3 Sep 92 17:37:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: juliet.3SEP199209374548
Organization: California Institute of Technology
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <1992Sep3.135504.306@peanuts.informatik.uni-tuebingen.de>, rothmund@peanuts.informatik.uni-tuebingen.de (Baerbel Rothmund) writes...
> 
>So am I.
> 
>As far as I understood hypoglycemia, what happens is the
>following:
>When people eat something (specially when eating something
>sweet) some kind of glucole gets into the blood. The
>amount of this glucole is regulated by some stuff called
>insuline (the one which is lacking when you suffer from
>diabetes).

One minor correction.  Diabetes is not a single disease, but rather a collection
of diseases with the same symptoms.  Diabetes generally refers to Dibetes 
Mellitus, of which there are three kinds.

IDDM, Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Type I).  This is where the body 
does not produce enough insulin due to damage to the pancreas (usually 
autoimmune, so the most recent studies say).  In developing it, there is both 
a hereditary and an environmental factor.  It frequently develops quite 
suddenly.  Type I diabetics require daily insulin injections.

NIDDM, Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Type II).  This is where the
body develops a resistence to insulin.  The body can produce heaps, but it 
just doesn't use it properly.  Type II diabetes frequently develops in obese
persons, but this is not necessary.  It can gradually develop over time.
Type II diabetes can be controlled through diet and exercise, but sometimes
requires oral medications or insulin injections.

Gestational diabetes.  Sometimes a woman who is with child develops diabetes.
Control is very important for the health of the baby.  Prenatal care should
check for this.  It usually goes away after the pregancy, but women who have
experienced gestational diabetes are at higher risk for Type II diabetes, even
if they are not obese.

Much of what is done to control diabetes seems as if it would be useful to 
the hypoglycemic.  The idea is to control blood sugar, never getting to high
or too low.  Type I diabetics sometimes experience hypoglycemia because they
have injected too much insulin or their glucose needs have increased due to
increased exercise or stress.  The American Diabetes Association has put out
four cookbooks which are very good in that they include general nutritional
information, not just recipies.

Oh, by the way, I'm not sure if hypoglycemia is covered by the American 
Disabilities Act, I know diabetes is.  It requires that an employer make 
reasonable accomodations to a person with any sort of disability, including
"hidden disabilities" like HIV, diabetes, Cancer, etc.  Seems like hypoglycemia
should be included.  Reasonable accomodations include things like breaks to 
check blood sugar or to eat something to prevent a hypoglycemic attack.

So, are there any other diabetics out there with some tips for me?  I'm type I 
and was just diagnosed in June.

I am no expert, so if I have said anything wrong, I won't be offended by 
correction.
Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition