Health Living with diabetes
Diabetes: the essential checks
If you’re living with diabetes it’s important to monitor and manage your condition, which includes checking your blood glucose and keeping it under control
If you have diabetes, it means you have problems with your blood glucose levels. If you have type 1 diabetes your blood glucose level becomes too high because your body can’t make enough of a hormone called insulin. However if you are living with type 2 diabetes, your pancreas may
not make enough insulin, or the insulin it makes doesn’t work properly. Whatever type you have, diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition.
Insulin – which allows the glucose in your blood to get into your cells and provide your body with the fuel it needs – is essential for your health. Your body will still break down the carbohydrate from the food you
eat and turn it into glucose. But if you don’t have enough insulin (or insulin that works properly), your blood glucose levels can keep getting higher. That’s why testing your blood glucose levels is important, as it gives you an indication of how well your condition is being managed.
Blood glucose testing: type 1 If you’re living with type 1 diabetes, you have to give your body insulin by injecting it or using an insulin pump. You’ll also have to check your blood glucose levels several times a day to make sure they’re not getting too low or too high. This isn’t difficult and you’ll quickly get used to checking your blood
glucose levels before meals, two or three hours after meals, before bed and before, during and after exercise. This will show you how your blood glucose levels are affected when you eat and when you’re taking part in physical activities, which can help you to keep your blood glucose levels more stable. Your GP or diabetes nurse will give you everything you need,
including a blood glucose meter, small needles called lancets, test strips and a plastic pen to hold the needles. They’ll also show you exactly how to use your blood glucose meter. But if you need a quick reminder, just ask your local pharmacist to show you or to check that you’re doing everything correctly.
Know your numbers As for the levels you should aim for, this is something your GP or diabetes nurse will discuss with you. However, the NHS suggests the ideal range for blood glucose levels are:
• Before meals: 4 - 7mmol/L • Two hours after meals: 8 - 9mmol/L • At bedtime: 6 - 10mmol/L
Try to remember, however, that lots of things can affect your blood glucose levels, such as illness, stress, pain, physical activity (too much or too little), drinking alcohol, and if you’re a woman, your menstrual cycle.
Blood glucose testing: type 2 If you have type 2 diabetes you may not need any treatment if you can manage your condition by eating healthily, losing weight and being more active. When you’re first diagnosed, your GP, diabetes
nurse or pharmacist will check your blood glucose levels every three months or so. Once your blood glucose level are stable, you may only need to have them checked about once every six months. As well as having your blood glucose levels
checked by a healthcare professional, you may be advised to monitor them yourself at home using a blood glucose meter. Talk to your healthcare team to find out what kind of meter is right for you and where you can get one. If you need advice on buying a blood glucose meter, your local Careway pharmacist can help. >
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