Controlling your blood sugar is the most important goal of any type of diabetic on any kind of treatment. It is essential to feeling healthy and avoiding long-term complications of Type 2 Diabetes. Some people are able to control their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone. Others may need to take medications, in addition to making lifestyle changes. In either case, monitoring your blood sugar is a key part of your treatment program.
You may need to test your blood sugar levels only once a day or as little as twice a week. Remember that the amount of sugar in your blood is constantly changing. Self-monitoring keeps you on top of the problem and should be done regularly.
Factors that affect your blood sugar include:
--Food. Food raises your blood sugar level; what and how much you eat, and the time of day, also affect your blood sugar level.
--Exercise and physical activity. The more active you are, the lower your blood sugar. Physical activity causes sugar to be transported to your cells, where it's used for energy.
--Medications. The purpose of oral diabetes medications is to lower your blood sugar. But medications you take for other conditions may affect glucose levels as well so consult your pharmacist or physician.
--Illness. The physical stress of a cold or other illness causes your body to produce hormones that raise your blood sugar level. Monitor your blood sugar more frequently when ill.
--Alcohol. Alcohol drives blood sugar levels sky high. If you drink make sure you know how your body reacts to it.
Diet
You already know the foods you like. You need to learn the foods that are good for you and that your body will tolerate. The easiest way is to consult with a dietitian at a local hospital or get a book at the library and follow the guidelines. Your dietitian may recommend developing your meal plan based on the dietary exchange system, carbohydrate counting or the glycemic index.
Being consistent and being true to the principles of the diet are key. It doesn't have to be boring.
Exercise
As with any exercise program always talk to your doctor before you begin. Walking, hiking, jogging, biking, tennis, cross-country skiing and swimming are all good choices for anyone especially diabetics. Combine your aerobic activity with stretching and strength training exercises and remember to start slowly and build up time and intensity.
Healthy weight
Fat makes your cells more resistant to insulin. But when you lose weight, the process reverses and your cells become more receptive to insulin. For some people with type 2 diabetes, weight loss is all that's needed to restore blood sugar to normal. A modest weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds is often enough.
Medications
If diet, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight aren't enough, you may need medication. Various drugs may be used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.
Glucose monitoring
Keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Eat healthy, exercise and monitor your blood sugars. Once you learn to measure your blood sugar and understand how important it is, you'll feel more comfortable with the procedure and more in control of your disease.
Testing is crucial because it tells you whether you're keeping your glucose levels in the range you and your doctor have agreed on. The ideal target range before meals is 90 to 130 mg/dL, and below 180 mg/dL two hours after meals.
Follow these guidelines and you will be well on your way to getting and keeping control of diabetes.
To get more valuable information on diabetes, home security, or self defense products click on the links below.
You may need to test your blood sugar levels only once a day or as little as twice a week. Remember that the amount of sugar in your blood is constantly changing. Self-monitoring keeps you on top of the problem and should be done regularly.
Factors that affect your blood sugar include:
--Food. Food raises your blood sugar level; what and how much you eat, and the time of day, also affect your blood sugar level.
--Exercise and physical activity. The more active you are, the lower your blood sugar. Physical activity causes sugar to be transported to your cells, where it's used for energy.
--Medications. The purpose of oral diabetes medications is to lower your blood sugar. But medications you take for other conditions may affect glucose levels as well so consult your pharmacist or physician.
--Illness. The physical stress of a cold or other illness causes your body to produce hormones that raise your blood sugar level. Monitor your blood sugar more frequently when ill.
--Alcohol. Alcohol drives blood sugar levels sky high. If you drink make sure you know how your body reacts to it.
Diet
You already know the foods you like. You need to learn the foods that are good for you and that your body will tolerate. The easiest way is to consult with a dietitian at a local hospital or get a book at the library and follow the guidelines. Your dietitian may recommend developing your meal plan based on the dietary exchange system, carbohydrate counting or the glycemic index.
Being consistent and being true to the principles of the diet are key. It doesn't have to be boring.
Exercise
As with any exercise program always talk to your doctor before you begin. Walking, hiking, jogging, biking, tennis, cross-country skiing and swimming are all good choices for anyone especially diabetics. Combine your aerobic activity with stretching and strength training exercises and remember to start slowly and build up time and intensity.
Healthy weight
Fat makes your cells more resistant to insulin. But when you lose weight, the process reverses and your cells become more receptive to insulin. For some people with type 2 diabetes, weight loss is all that's needed to restore blood sugar to normal. A modest weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds is often enough.
Medications
If diet, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight aren't enough, you may need medication. Various drugs may be used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.
Glucose monitoring
Keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Eat healthy, exercise and monitor your blood sugars. Once you learn to measure your blood sugar and understand how important it is, you'll feel more comfortable with the procedure and more in control of your disease.
Testing is crucial because it tells you whether you're keeping your glucose levels in the range you and your doctor have agreed on. The ideal target range before meals is 90 to 130 mg/dL, and below 180 mg/dL two hours after meals.
Follow these guidelines and you will be well on your way to getting and keeping control of diabetes.
To get more valuable information on diabetes, home security, or self defense products click on the links below.
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