The 7 Most Common Diabetes-Related Medical Emergencies

Diabetes care generally focuses on day-to-day living to prevent complications, such as eating right and exercising, but it's also important for you to know how to get help if you have one of these medical emergencies. Controlling your blood sugar can lower the chances of all of the following emergencies (with the exception of hypoglycemia). You should also keep an eye on your cholesterol and blood pressure to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Amputation

Tell your doctor right away if you notice any foot injuries, no matter how small, because they can rapidly lead to amputation. You may be referred to a hospital if your condition is serious. Some hospitals and centers now have "limb salvage" programs to help you keep your feet, such as New York University Medical Center; the Wisconsin Heart Hospital outside of Milwaukee; Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; and University Foot & Ankle Institute at various locations in California. Ask your doctor where you can find the best foot-saving expertise in your area.

Heart attack

The death rate from heart disease is two to four times higher in adults who have diabetes than those without it. You should be aware of heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, andnausea; call 911 immediately if you experience them.

Hyperglycemia

High blood sugar can result from not taking enough insulin, eating too much, or being sick or stressed. Symptoms include excessive thirst, excessive urination, and blurry vision. Hyperglycemia can lead to an emergency condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, usually in people with type 1 diabetes. It can also cause a condition called nonketotic hyperosmolar syndrome in people with type 2 diabetes.

You can often treat hyperglycemia by exercising, according to the American Diabetes Association. If your blood sugar is over 240 mg/dL, you should check your urine for ketones, a potentially harmful substance created when the body burns stored fat for energy. If your blood sugar is above 240 mg/dL and you test positive for ketones, exercise can make your blood sugar go even higher. Speak with your doctor to create a plan to lower your blood glucose level.

Ben & Jerry’s Just Launched the Low-Calorie Ice Cream We’ve Been Waiting ForBen & Jerry’s Just Launched the Low-Calorie Ice Cream We’ve Been Waiting For

Move over, Halo Top. There’s a new low-cal ice cream in town, and you might recognize the brand’s name.

For the very first time, Ben & Jerry’s is launching light ice cream, but you’d never know that it has a fraction of the calories of their beloved flavors. And calories aren’t the only thing it’s lighter in: Moo-Phoria, Ben & Jerry’s new line, also has 60 to 70 percent less fat and sugar than regular ice cream. Plus, it’s made with organic dairy and no erythritol, sugar alcohols, or sugar substitutes, meaning it tastes like the real deal.

Moo-Phoria, which launches today, Feb. 7, currently comes in three flavors. Chocolate Milk & Cookies, a vanilla and chocolate swirl with chocolate chip cookies, has 560 calories per pint (just 140 calories per serving!).