Often doctors will check the glucose levels of their patients because they have diabetes. It is important to monitor your blood glucose levels regularly because a high or low blood sugar level is not good for your health. By knowing what to do, you can reduce the unpleasant symptoms of having a high or low blood sugar level.
Keeping your blood sugar levels in check is a great way to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of high and low blood sugar. It can also reduce the long-term health risks of having diabetes. The key is to be aware of your blood sugar levels and to know what to do when they are low.
A continuous glucose monitoring system is a great way to keep track of your blood glucose levels throughout the day. It uses a small sensor under your skin to measure your glucose levels every few minutes. This can be especially helpful for insulin users who are experiencing low blood glucose levels. However, before making any changes to your diet or medication regimen, you should consult with your healthcare team.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with diabetes check their blood sugar before, during, and after meals. You may want to check your blood sugar before going to bed as well.
You can also print a glucose self-check chart to keep track of your blood glucose levels. This chart can be useful for determining the effectiveness of your diabetes management plan. You may also want to monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently than the recommended three times per day.
When it comes to hypoglycemia, there are no clear-cut answers. In fact, the symptoms can vary from episode to episode. For example, you may not feel any symptoms at all, or you may feel a sudden increase in your blood sugar levels. However, you may have an episode of low blood glucose if you have had a sugary snack, exercised vigorously, or waited too long before eating.
If you do get a low blood sugar, you need to act quickly. This can mean eating a snack or glucose tablet to boost your blood sugar level. You should also contact your health care provider and/or a dietitian.
The CDC also recommends monitoring your blood sugar in the 'time in range'. This means that you want your blood sugar to be in the range of 70-180mg/dL. You may need to adjust your insulin dose to maintain the target range.
Having a type of diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the pancreas. The immune system attacks the cells that make insulin, the hormone that helps the body use glucose as fuel. This is a very serious disease that can cause complications in many parts of the body.
Managing a type of diabetes requires a team of health care providers. This includes an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in diabetes, and an ophthalmologist. The goal of diabetes care is to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
The first thing to do is find out what type of diabetes you have. This will allow your doctor to prescribe the right kind of insulin for you. You may also need to use a pump to deliver the insulin.
Another thing to do is get the right amount of exercise. You should aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week.
Make sure you talk to your health care provider about your activity schedule. You may need to adjust your meal plan and insulin doses to get the most from your activity. Also, don't go more than two days without exercise.
You may also want to see your doctor about your cholesterol levels. Your health care provider will be able to tell you whether you need to take a medication to lower your cholesterol.
You should also ask your doctor about a urinalysis. This is a test that looks at several aspects of your urine, including chemical, microscopic, and visual aspects.
You should also get a blood glucose test. This test will let you know if you have type 1 or type 2. This test measures the amount of glucose in your blood. You may also need to get an A1C test. This test will let you know how your blood glucose levels have changed over the past two to three months.
You may also want to get a urinalysis test to measure the amount of ketones in your urine. Ketones are a chemical that the body releases when it breaks down fats for energy. A high level of ketones can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia unawareness are an important problem for some people with diabetes. It can lead to a number of serious problems. Symptoms include confusion, seizures, and even death.
Many people with diabetes experience hypoglycemia unawareness, but they can be helped. If you think you have the condition, talk to your health care provider. They may be able to prescribe a continuous glucose monitor to help you avoid hypoglycemia unawareness.
People with hypoglycemia unawareness may not recognize the early signs of low blood glucose, which can be dangerous. These signs include confusion, muscle twitching, and unsteadiness when standing. They also may feel like they are about to pass out. When this happens, seek emergency care.
Hypoglycemia unawareness can also occur during sleep. If you are experiencing hypoglycemia during sleep, check your blood sugar regularly. You may also need to take your insulin dose higher.
Hypoglycemia unawareness occurs in about 40 percent of patients with type 1 diabetes and in about 25 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes. People with hypoglycemia unawareness are also at higher risk for severe lows. In one study, people with hypoglycemia unawareness were six times more likely to have severe lows than those who were not.
Frequent lows can also increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia unawareness. This is because the body releases counter-regulatory hormones more slowly in people with frequent lows.
To avoid hypoglycemia unawareness, check your blood sugar before driving or before exercising. You should also check your blood sugar before you go to bed. You can also carry a carbohydrate snack with you to ensure you get enough carbohydrates.
People with diabetes who experience frequent severe lows are at risk of developing hypoglycemia unawareness. A study showed that people who stopped having frequent lows had fewer episodes and improved symptoms after three months. Similarly, people who practiced hypoglycemia unawareness prevention also had fewer episodes and better outcomes.
To treat hypoglycemia unawareness, you may need to increase your insulin doses, take your insulin more frequently, and increase your blood sugar targets. You may also need blood glucose awareness training.
Using a blood glucose meter can help you monitor your glucose level and understand the relationship between your glucose level and your health. These devices also help you manage your diabetes.
Blood glucose meters are available at local pharmacies, your health care provider, or online. Some health insurance companies cover the cost of blood glucose meters.
If you choose to use your own meter, follow the instructions carefully. Many meters are designed with a data port, which lets you share your readings with your health care provider. Other meters allow you to save your results for later reference.
Many people with diabetes use a paper logbook to keep track of their glucose readings. These records help the healthcare team understand their blood glucose problems and make changes to their treatment plan.
Blood glucose meters are also available as portable testing equipment, which can be carried in a purse or backpack. They offer a faster and more accurate method of testing glucose.
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) uses a tiny sensor under the skin to measure glucose levels between cells. This device monitors your glucose level every few minutes, around the clock.
Blood glucose meters can be purchased at local pharmacies, your health care provider, online, or from an emergency room. They vary in cost, size, and features. Some meters can also be used to send readings to your phone.
Some blood glucose meters have memory to store several hundred test results. Some also allow you to email the results to your healthcare provider.
Most meters have a toll-free number. If your meter malfunctions, report it to the manufacturer. You may also want to ask your health care provider for a recommendation on which meter is best for you.
Before you start using a blood glucose meter, make sure to clean it properly. Make sure that the test strips are fresh and clean. Also, make sure that you know what warning signs of low blood sugar are. You should also keep a record of your daily glucose readings and the results of your tests.