Unstable diabetes is a type of diabetes where a person’s blood glucose (sugar) level fluctuates very quickly. Unstable diabetes is also called ‘brittle diabetes’ and ‘labile diabetes’. Possible causes for this type of diabetes include gastrointestinal absorption problems, delayed stomach emptying, drug interactions, problems with insulin absorption, or hormonal malfunction. In addition, the treatment of thyroid problems and adrenal gland conditions may lead to unstable diabetes, according to Diabetes.About.com.
In people with stable forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels fluctuate all the time, but normally this does not affect their daily living much. The same cannot be said for people with unstable diabetes. People with brittle diabetes must be hospitalized frequently and they often must miss work. In addition, many people with unstable diabetes have psychological problems which they have to attend to. All these factors normally add to even more emotional and financial stress.
