If hypoglycaemia is not corrected, it can progress to more advanced symptoms such as slurred

speech, confusion and ultimately unconsciousness. If a person loses consciousness they will
need to have glucagon
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include cold and clammy skin, confusion, poor balance, feeling faint
and rapid heartbeat.
dementia- a mental illness that causes someone to be unable to think clearly or to understand what is
real and what is not real
People with type 2 diabetes who manage the condition with a combination of healthy eating and
physical activity are not usually at risk of hypoglycaemia. If people are not taking any medications to
lower their blood glucose levels, they don't tend to drop too low to cause a 'hypo' episode. Severe
hypoglycemia is also very rare among people with type 2 diabetes who are taking blood glucose
lowering medications such as metformin (Glucophage).
However people with type 2 diabetes who take medications that increase the amount of insulin
released from the pancreas can be at risk of low blood glucose levels. These medications include
Gliclazide, Glipizide and Glimpiride. Hypoglycemia also can happen in people with type 2 diabetes who
use insulin. ( people with this type of diabetes

Ketoacidosis
Ketoacidosis is a condition that is a result of high levels of ketones in the body. When the body uses
stored fats for energy as opposed to sugars, ketones are a by-product. This usually occurs when a
diabetic is not eating properly, is using too much insulin, or when the body is so insulin-resistant, that the
body is not able to utilize blood sugars for energy and must use the body fats. A key symptom of
ketoacidosis is a fruity smell to the breath. Additionally, the diabetic will experience excessive thirst,
flushed and dry skin, confusion and fatigue. A sign that this condition has become immediately life-
threatening is if the diabetic has began to vomit.

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome usually occurs after the diabetic has experienced and
even recovered from infection, or has experienced unusual stress. Infections and stress cause the blood
sugar levels in the body to rise to very high levels, and as a result, the body tries desperately to rid itself
of this excess sugar. The body does this by producing large amounts of urine. According to the Mayo
Clinic, the person will then urinate frequently and lose excess body fluids leading to dehydration,
electrolyte imbalances, coma and even death. Symptoms of this emergency include confusion, weakness
on one side of the body, increased or rapid heart rate, fever and hallucinations.

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Insulin is a naturally-occurring hormone secreted by the
pancreas. Insulin is required by the cells of the body in order for them to remove and use glucose
from the blood. From glucose the cells produce the energy that they need to carry out their functions.
Researchers first gave an active extract of the pancreas containing insulin to a young diabetic
patient in 1922, and the FDA first approved insulin in 1939. Currently, insulin used for treatment is
derived from beef and pork pancreas as well as recombinant (human) technology. The first
recombinant human insulin was approved by the FDA in 1982.
Patients with diabetes mellitus have a reduced ability to take up and use glucose from the blood,
and, as a result, the glucose level in the blood rises. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot
produce enough insulin. Therefore, insulin therapy is needed. In type 2 diabetes, patients produce
insulin, but cells throughout the body do not respond normally to the insulin. Nevertheless, insulin
also may be used in type 2 diabetes to overcome the resistance of the cells to insulin. By increasing
the uptake of glucose by cells and reducing the concentration of glucose in the blood, insulin
prevents or reduces the long-term complications of diabetes, including damage to the blood vessels,
eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Insulin is administered by injection under the skin (subcutaneously). The
subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen is preferred because absorption of the insulin is more
consistent from this location than subcutaneous tissues in other locations.