Performing a blood glucose test is an important part of knowing if you have diabetes. It can help you keep track of your blood sugar levels and prevent complications. Performing this test is also an inexpensive way to find out if you have diabetes.
Keeping blood glucose levels in check can be one of the best ways to prevent diabetes complications. High blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels, nerves, and the organs that control the heart. This can result in heart failure, amputations, and blindness. It can also cause fungal infections and life-threatening skin infections.
In addition to keeping blood glucose levels in check, you can also lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by eating a healthy diet and staying physically active. You should also see a primary care doctor for blood pressure and cholesterol checks. If you smoke, you should also quit. Keeping your weight down is also important. After 45 years of age, you should pay particular attention to this because overweight people are more likely to develop diabetes.
Diabetes is caused by your body producing too much glucose and not producing enough insulin. When the pancreas stops producing insulin, your body cannot properly absorb the glucose it needs. When your body does not have enough insulin, you will feel thirsty and your blood glucose levels will increase. This is also known as hypoglycemia. You can treat low blood sugar by eating foods with carbohydrates. These include starchy foods such as potatoes, corn, pasta, and fruit. Taking glucose tablets or raisins may also help.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing other health conditions. For example, if you have diabetes, your chances of getting a urinary tract infection are increased. You will also have an increased risk of getting thrush. You are also at risk for kidney disease and heart attack. The more time you have had diabetes, the greater the risk for these complications. If you are not treated at the first sign of these complications, they can cause damage to your organs. You can prevent these complications by following a healthy diet and keeping your weight in check.
If you have diabetes, you should see a doctor on a regular basis. Your doctor should also help you make a plan for preventing complications. You should also find a healthcare provider who is certified in diabetes care. You may also need a dietitian to help you. You can find these resources online or in your local community. You can also learn more about the various complications of diabetes, including vision problems, kidney problems, and hearing loss.
When you are diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor should give you a glucose test. You will also need to monitor your blood glucose levels on a daily basis. You should have a glucose meter on you at all times. This meter will prick your finger with a small needle and give you a reading of your blood sugar. You will then see if the level is too low or too high. If the reading is too low, you will have a hypoglycemic episode.
Keeping an up-to-date record of your blood sugar levels is a key part of maintaining your health. Blood glucose levels that are not properly controlled can lead to long-term complications such as eye problems and kidney failure. A blood glucose meter is a great tool to use in this regard.
In the past, measuring blood glucose levels was a complicated task, but modern spring-loaded lancet monitors make checking blood sugar painless. In addition to displaying real-time glucose levels, most meters allow for saving and storing results for later reference. Aside from the standard test, you can also use the monitor to check your blood glucose levels during exercise or while sleeping. Using a glucose monitor can also help you identify patterns in your blood sugar levels. You can then take actions to improve your blood sugar level and reduce your risk of diabetes complications.
If you are lucky enough to have a smart phone, you can download a blood glucose monitor app to help you track your levels. These devices are convenient and allow you to measure your blood sugar levels at a glance, making it easier to follow your plan. If you are not lucky enough to have a smart phone, then keeping a written daily record is a good way to stay on top of your blood glucose levels.
While checking your blood glucose levels may be the easy part of the equation, a few additional steps are needed to get the most accurate results. First, find out what the American Diabetes Association recommends in terms of testing and measuring your blood sugar levels. Then, ask your doctor about how often to test. If you are sick or under stress, you may need to test more frequently. You should also ask about reporting your results. Taking your results to your doctor's office is a great way to show your doctor that you are doing everything you can to take control of your diabetes.
One of the most important tasks in keeping an up-to-date blood glucose level record is to record the date of your last meal and time of day. This can help you determine what time of day to test your blood sugar levels. In addition, a good record will also help you determine whether or not you are taking the correct medications and other products for your condition. You may also need to make adjustments to your diet or activity level to keep your levels within a reasonable range.
Keeping an up-to-date record can also help you know what to do in case of an emergency. If your blood sugar level drops below 54 mg/dL, you should act immediately. You should also try to maintain a level within the recommended range of 80 to 130 mg/dL.