She is diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes. Your body runs on sugar-glucose to be more precise. You manufacture glucose from the foods you eat. Other parts, especially your brain, cannot store a significant amount of glucose. To meet the critical demands of the brain, you carry sugar in your blood at all times.
Glucose passes freely across the blood-brain barrier.
The rest of your body's cells cannot accept sugar without the presence of insulin, a hormone produced in the islet cells of your pancreas. But, if you have diabetes mellitus, your pancreas forms an insufficient amount of insulin. Due to the brain's critical dependence on blood sugar, an altered level of consciousness, confusion, irritability, permanent brain damage, even death may result in a brief period of time. Other signs include a rapid pulse and pale, sweaty skin. Symptoms include headache, hunger and weakness.