HYPERGLYCEMIA AND HYPOGLYCEMIA

Pankreas adalah organ pada sistem pencernaan yang memiliki fungsi utama yakni untuk menghasilkan enzim pencernaan serta beberapa hormon penting seperti insulin. Kalenjar pankreas terletak pada bagian belakang lambung dan berhubungan erat dengan duodenum (usus dua belas jari). Di dalamnya terdapat kumpulan sel yang berbentuk seperti pulau pada peta, karena itu acapkali disebut pulau-pulau Langerhans. Dinamakan Langerhans atas penemunya, Paul Langerhans pada tahun 1869. Setiap pulau berisikan sel beta yang berfungsi mengeluarkan hormon insulin. Dimana hormon insulin memegang peran penting dalam mengatur kadar glukosa darah. Tiap pankreas mengandung lebih kurang 100.000 pulau Langerhans dan tiap pulau berisi 100 sel beta. Disamping sel beta ada juga sel alfa yang memproduksi glukagon yang bekerja sebaliknya dari insulin yaitu mengingkatkan kadar glukosa darah. Juga ada sel delta yang mengeluarkan somatostatin. HYPERGLYCEMIA Hyperglycemia doesn't cause symptoms until glucose values are significantly elevated — above 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 11 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Symptoms of hyperglycemia develop slowly over several days or weeks. The longer blood sugar levels stay high, the more serious the symptoms become. Early signs and symptoms Recognizing early symptoms of hyperglycemia can help you treat the condition promptly. Watch for: Frequent urination Increased thirst Blurred vision Fatigue Headache Later signs and symptoms If hyperglycemia goes untreated, it can cause toxic acids (ketones) to build up in your blood and urine (ketoacidosis). Signs and symptoms include: Fruity-smelling breath Nausea and vomiting Shortness of breath Dry mouth Weakness Confusion Coma Abdominal pain When to see a doctor Call 911 or emergency medical assistance if: You're sick and can't keep any food or fluids down, and Your blood glucose levels are persistently above 240 mg/dL (13 mmol/L) with ketones in your urine Make an appointment with your doctor if: You experience ongoing diarrhea or vomiting, but you're able to take some foods or drinks You have a fever that lasts more than 24 hours Your blood glucose is more than 240 mg/dL (13 mmol/L) even though you've taken your diabetes medication You have trouble keeping your blood glucose within the desired range HYPOGLYCEMIA Your body needs a steady supply of sugar (glucose) in order to function properly. If glucose levels become too low, as occurs with hypoglycemia, it can have these effects on your brain: Confusion, abnormal behavior or both, such as the inability to complete routine tasks Visual disturbances, such as double vision and blurred vision Seizures, though uncommon Loss of consciousness, though uncommon Hypoglycemia may also cause these other signs and symptoms: Heart palpitations Shakiness Anxiety Sweating Hunger Tingling sensation around the mouth These signs and symptoms aren't specific to hypoglycemia. There may be other causes. An intravenous blood sample to test your blood sugar level at the time of these signs and symptoms is the only way to know for sure that hypoglycemia is the cause. When to see a doctor Seek a doctor's help immediately if: You have what appears to be symptoms of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, if confirmed, can be an indication of any number of illnesses, all of which can be serious. You have diabetes and early signs of hypoglycemia don't improve with eating or taking glucose tablets. Seek emergency help if someone you know who has diabetes or a history of recurring hypoglycemia loses consciousness.