8 | Living with Diabetes
WELLBEING
WHEN YOU HAVE DIABETES,
FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIABETES
YOUR BODY CAN’T CONTROL
BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS, AND THEY CAN CHANGE QUICKLY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON THESE CHANGES
AND REACT IN THE CORRECT WAY TO ENSURE YOUR WELLBEING.
onitoring and controlling CHECKING YOUR BLOOD SUGAR
your blood sugar levels
Mcan help you avoid Blood sugar is usually measured in
extreme highs and lows and can milligrams of glucose per deciliter of
lower your risk of complications blood (mg/dL). As a general guideline,
of diabetes, including heart and blood sugar test results before meals,
kidney problems. should fall between 70 and 130 mg/
dL. One to two hours after meals
Tracking your blood sugar levels also levels should be lower than 180 mg/
helps you and your doctor see how dL. But many factors can impact what
your body responds to changes in you set as your personal goals. Ask
your diet, treatment and exercise. your doctor what is right for you.
One of the benefi ts of self-testing is
that you get results right away. Blood Self-testing commonly involves
sugar testing can be like an ongoing using a device that automatically
progress report that allows you to pricks the skin. A tiny drop of blood
quickly adjust what you are doing if is all that is needed for a meter to
it is not working. measure the level of sugar in your
blood. Most meters require testing
When you are fi rst diagnosed with from a fi ngertip. Blood in the
diabetes, it is likely you will need fi ngertips shows changes in blood
to test your blood sugar level many sugar very quickly. Some devices
times throughout the day. Once you also measure from the upper arm,
know how your body responds to forearm or thigh. You have many
food, exercise and other factors, you choices when it comes to meters.
may not need to test quite so often. Discuss your options with your
You may also need to test more often family doctor and choose one that
if you are trying a new drug or dose, you are comfortable using.
or if you are stressed or sick.
HbA , or A1C, testing is usually
1c
done in the doctor’s offi ce and
Check this out
shows your blood sugar levels over
Some new devices
the span of two to three months. It
continuously test is a great way to keep tabs on how
blood sugar using
you are controlling blood sugar
a tiny sensor under
over time. Usually, this kind of test
the skin. Results are
is done two to four times a year,
or more often if needed. For most
sent to a wireless
people who have diabetes, the goal
monitoring device
is to keep the HbA level lower than
1c
by radio waves. 7%. Ask your doctor what goal is
right for you.
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