
But what do you do when you have diabetes?
As always, remain in close consultation with your physician on all diabetes treatment. It is also helpful to have a family member or friend to help you track your diet, activity, and medication. But here are a few ways to deal:
*Monitor glucose levels: Remember to check your blood glucose levels regularly, and to note what your levels are in your journal. Always start by washing your hands, then insert a test strip into the meter prescribed by your doctor. Use the lancing device to get a drop of blood, which you then press to the strip on the meter. The meter will display your blood glucose level. Blood glucose target ranges depend on a variety of factors, and are specific to each person, so make sure you have that information from your doctor.
*Compare glucose levels with diet, etc: In your journal, note how your glucose levels coincide with when and what you eat, as well as your physical activity. If your levels are too high or too low for several days running at around the same time, you should review and reevaluate your eating and activity patterns. Keep an eye out too for hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and ketones in your urine - more details on these in tomorrow's post.
*Medication: Consult your physician on which medications would work best for you. These can include glucose tablets, insulin injections, and herbs, supplemental or alternative medicines.
Want to learn more? Stay tuned for Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia, Prediabetes, and more!