Blood sugar monitoring is important for people with diabetes. It can help you feel better and avoid long-term complications. The body needs the right amount of glucose and insulin to function properly. When there is too much or too little, your health will suffer. You may always feel tired, gain weight rapidly, and have mood swings that easily make you angry. Properly monitoring your blood sugar will lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other diabetes-related problems.
Monitoring blood sugar levels can help you determine whether you are meeting your glucose targets. It can overcome the unpleasant symptoms of high and low blood sugar levels while also avoiding long-term diabetes complications. You and your healthcare team should decide how frequently you should check your blood sugar. People who have type 1 diabetes, take multiple daily insulin injections, or use an insulin pump should check their blood sugar more frequently.
How Do I Manage Blood Sugar Levels?
Maintaining a healthy blood sugar level is important for people with diabetes. There are many ways to manage blood sugar levels Though there are many options, following four ways are highly effective
A Healthy Diet
Eating healthy foods can help you control your blood sugar. Eating healthy foods can help you maintain your blood sugar. It will help if you eat various fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Foods high in fiber can help slow down the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream. They can also help you feel full longer and avoid blood sugar spikes. Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans are all good choices. You should also limit how much-saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol you eat.
Daily Exercise
One way to manage blood sugar levels is through exercise. It is important to find an activity you enjoy and do it regularly. You should try different activities to find the ones that work best for you. Exercise can help to control blood sugar levels by making the body more sensitive to insulin, using up glucose in the blood, and assisting the body in getting rid of glucose in the blood. Exercise is an important part of blood sugar management.
Regular Medication
Insulin and other diabetes medications work by lowering blood sugar levels. However, the effectiveness of these medications depends on the timing and size of the dose. Blood sugar can be affected by medicines you take for conditions other than diabetes. Insulin that has been improperly stored or has passed its expiration date may no longer be effective. Suppose your diabetes medications cause your blood sugar to drop too low or rise too high regularly. In that case, the dosage or timing may need to be adjusted. Before beginning any new over-the-counter medication, consult your doctor.
Manage Your Stress
When stressed, the hormones your body produces in response to the stress may cause your blood sugar to rise. Fight back once you understand how stress affects your blood sugar level. When you log your blood sugar, record your stress level on a scale of 1 to 10. Request assistance from your diabetes health care team. Consult a psychologist or clinical social worker to assist you in identifying stressors.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 30). Manage blood sugar. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/manage-blood-sugar.html
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, June 3). Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar. Mayo Clinic from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-management/art-20047963
