IS IT NECESSARY TO REGULARLY SELF TEST YOUR BLOOD SUGAR?

Millions and millions of people have diabetes, yet countless are not aware of it. Diabetes has latent long-standing complications that can have an effect on the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, nerves and eyes.

In diagnosing diabetes, medical doctors first and foremost depend upon the results of definite glucose tests. Nevertheless, test results are just an element of the information that goes into the identification of diabetes. Doctors also take into consideration your physical examination, occurrence or lack of symptoms, and medical record. Some people who are appreciably ill will have temporary problems with high blood glucose, which will then go back to normal after the condition has resolved. Also, a number of medications may modify your blood sugar levels.

The main tests used to measure the existence of blood glucose problems are:

** Straight measurement of sugar levels in the blood after an overnight fast
** Measurement of the ability of your body to properly handle the excess sugar that appears after drinking a high sugar beverage.

THE SELF TEST - IS IT THAT IMPORTANT?

Customary self-testing of your blood glucose tells you how well your mixture of diet, nutritional supplements, medication and exercise are working. Tests are typically made at bedtime and before meals. More repeated testing may be required if you are ill or under physical or nervous stress.

A gadget called a glucometer can supply an accurate blood glucose reading. There are different types of devices. Typically, you puncture your finger with a small lancet, which gives you a little drop of blood. You place it on a test strip, and put the strip inside the glucometer. The outcome is available within a few seconds.

A health care giver or diabetes instructor will help you set up a suitable testing timetable for you. You will also be instructed how to act in response to diverse ranges of sugar values obtained when you test yourself.

The outcome of the tests will be used to regulate activity, meals, or medications to keep blood glucose levels in a correct range. Testing provides precious information for the health care giver and identifies low and high blood glucose levels before severe complications develop. Accurate documentation keeping of test results will let you and your health care provider diagram how to best manage your diabetes.

THE SUPPLEMENTAL TREATMENT FOR YOU

Here I would like to recommend you this method "How to Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win", available through the Internet. It gives you a fantastic and easy way to fight and even reverse your diabetes, at a very affordable price.

I don't know if "How to Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win" is the panacea, the cure-all, the perfect remedy for all diabetics. You have to put persistence and consistency, but it's really easy to follow, and results show up pretty soon. And, attention! I am not recommending you to discard all at once the treatment your doctor prescribed you! This is a supplement I suggest you to take gradually and wisely ... And let me tell you one: you and your doctor will be amazed, be sure.

In my personal experience, one important "side effect" of playing this game is that I save quite a bit of money on insulin and pills. Another one: I can eat all kinds of foods, in reasonable quantities and I've already lost about 20 pounds.

THESE ARE YOUR DIABETES TREATMENT OPTIONS

Many options are available to help keep an individual's blood glucose levels under control. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can result in blindness, amputation of limbs, and end-stage renal disease.

The Facts

1. Successful treatment involves lowering blood sugar levels to normal glucose blood levels, which usually fall in the range of 70 to 110 mg/dl before meals and lower than 180 mg/dl two hours after the start of the meal.

Diet and Exercise

2. Doctors recommend changing to a low-fat, low-calorie diet. Excess calories and fat trigger rises in blood sugar. Regular exercise is also important for controlling blood sugar. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-level exercise four days a week.

Anti-diabetic Medications

3. Diabetics may take one or many types of anti-diabetic medications in order to manage blood glucose levels. Such medications include oral remedies, such as Sulfonylurea, Metformin, and Thiazolidinediones or DPP-4 inhibitors, a new class of Type 2 drug that attempts to prevent the breakdown of GLP-1 in the gut.

Insulin

4. If diet, exercise and antidiabetic medications do not lower blood sugar levels to normal ranges, doctors recommend insulin shots and/or insulin inhalables to treat the disease.

Herbal Remedies

5. Herbal remedies lower blood sugar levels by improving the body's ability to metabolize insulin. Cinnamon has shown promise in managing blood sugar. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Beltsville Human Nutrition Center isolated insulin-enhancing properties in cinnamon that can alleviate or prevent glucose intolerances.

Article reprinted from http://digghealth.com/type-2-diabetes-treatment-options/

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION MAY AFFECT YOUR DIABETES TREATMENT

When people ask me if I can drink alcohol even when I am diabetic my answers are always a yes and a smile. I add, as well, that for type 2 diabetics it is important to eat something while you drink, although not too much of carbs. Often times it happens to me that if I have a glass of wine when I am dining out, I will forget how much I have already eaten.

However, if you are going to drink, you must make sure that you drink prudently, rather than in huge amounts, not only because of the potential damage to your health, but as well for the risk of driving in such a condition. Some people prefer mixed drinks when having a barbeque. If that is your case, make sure you get something that is sugar-free, for that will lessen the effects of the alcohol you might be drinking.

Anyway, beverages with a high sugar content, such as sweet wines and sherries and liqueurs should be strictly limited. Choice mixer drinks could be diet or sugar-free colas or diet tonic water. In line with your recommended daily diet guidelines, moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial for your health, especially for your heart. In particular, red wine may be more beneficial than beer or spirits.

If you need to have a drink before eating, also have an appetizer such as crackers or bread sticks. When dining out in a restaurant, ask for a breadbasket with your drink or before it.

Note: do not forget to include this food you eat with or before your drink as part of the meal plan for the occasion.

Find out if your alcohol beverage poses a risk. Some people with diabetes can safely drink alcohol in moderate amounts, while for others any amount of alcohol will have serious negative consequences for their health.

Frequently I forget the meaning of moderation when it comes to alcohol. When I am out, for example, I like to test my blood sugar level and inject my insulin as needed. But after a few glasses of wine or beer I've forgotten I've already done and so I test again. Then, I often check my glucometer the next day, to find that once into the early hours I had been testing every fifteen minutes.

I love to drink a little at night, with microwave popcorn, but this causes extreme low levels for me in my sleep, so I cannot enjoy some hard alcohol, unfortunately.

That is why I would recommend you to keep an eye on your blood glucose levels at bedtime, and not to forget to eat something when waking up as well. And also remember that drinking alcohol does not necessarily mean sabotaging your diabetes diet.