Manage Blood Sugar: Targets, Testing, and Tailored Strategies for Diabetes Control

MANAGE BLOOD SUGAR

KEY POINTS:

? Keep your blood sugar levels within a targeted range to prevent serious health complications.

? There are strategies you can adopt to make managing blood sugar easier.

Checking Blood Sugar Levels:

• Use a glucometer or continuous glucose monitor CGM for regular testing.

• A glucometer measures blood sugar, typically from the fingertip.

• A CGM uses sensors under your skin for real-time monitoring of your levels every few minutes.

? Regular CGM checks can be necessary even if you use it continuously.

When to Test:

• Test before waking up and prior to eating or drinking anything.

• Before meals

• Two hours post-meal

• At bedtime

For type 1 diabetes, frequent testing before and after physical activities might be advised by your doctor when managing insulin intake.

Blood Sugar Targets:

• Pre-meal: m for a range of 80 to 130 mgdL.

• Post-meal: Keep levels under 180 mgdL within two hours of eating.

? Tlored targets based on age, co-existing health conditions, and other factors. Discuss personalized targets with your healthcare team.

Causes of Low Blood Sugar:

Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia typically means a reading below 70 mgdL.

? Causes include missing meals, excessive insulin or medication use, increased physical activity, and alcohol intake.

High Blood Sugar Causes:

Various factors may contribute to high blood sugar or hyperglycemia, including:

• Illness

• Stress

• Excess food consumption

• Insufficient diabetes treatment

Monitoring ketones at elevated blood sugar levels 240 mgdL+ can help identify early diabetic ketoacidosis DKA, a critical situation needing immediate medical attention.

Strategies for Managing Blood Sugar Levels:

? Adopting a balanced diet, mntning weight control, and regular physical activity are key steps.

• Regularly monitor your blood sugar to understand influencing factors.

? Mntn a consistent meal schedule without skipping meals.

? Choose foods that are low in calories, saturated fats, sugars, and salt.

? Keep track of food intake, exercise, and other activities for better management.

? Opt for water over sugary drinks like juice or soda.

• Consume alcoholic beverages moderately up to 2 drinksday for men, 1 drinkday for women.

? Satisfy a sweet craving with fruit.

? Practice portion control using the plate method for meals.

Managing Carb Intake:

Carbohydrates in food elevate blood sugar levels more than proteins or fats after consumption.

• With diabetes, carbs are not off-limits; however, you should consult your healthcare team about appropriate carb goals tlored to factors like age, weight, activity level, and health conditions.

In , mntning healthy habits including diet, physical activity, and regular monitoring can help manage blood sugar levels effectively. Tloring strategies to personal circumstances under guidance from a healthcare provider ensures the best results for diabetes management.
This article is reproduced from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/treatment/index.html

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