One way to manage your diabetes is to keep a close eye on your glucose levels, also known as your blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose inside the body to use for fuel. When there is too much glucose circulating in the blood, you can develop a condition called diabetes. Your medical team or physical therapist can explain this concept in more detail.

It’s important for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes sufferers to know their blood sugar levels throughout the day. With Type 1, the body may not produce any insulin to control the levels of sugar in the blood.  With Type 2, the insulin your pancreas does produce may not be affective at delivering the sugar to the cells of your body.

Your blood sugar number determines how well your body is processing glucose and will be an indication of how you feel throughout the day. At first, you will probably have to monitor your blood sugar levels several times until you get the hang of what your ideal glucose numbers should be.

Why You Should Be A Stickler About Your Sugar Levels:
•    Prevent hypoglycemia, low blood sugar
•    Prevent hyperglycemia, high blood sugar
•    Keep diabetes under control and avoid any complications
•    Prevent heart disease

How Do I Use My Glucose Meter?

People with diabetes check their blood sugar with a device called a glucose meter. You should be able to get one of these meters using a prescription from your patient care provider. It uses a small sample of blood to assess your blood sugar at any given moment in time. When you are just getting used to using the glucose meter, you should check your blood sugar both before and after your meals. This will give you an idea of when you should eat and how the food you eat is affecting your levels. Over time, you will develop a sense of what your levels are at any given moment and what you should do to improve them.

There are many different glucose meters on the market these days so read the instructions for each before using them. The sample of blood is obtained by the finger stick method. Many meters have a spring-loaded needle to make it easier to prick your finger. It may seem awkward the first few times until you get used to the process. Many people avoid getting sensitive fingertips by taking blood from the side of the finger. Fortunately, there are companies that are working on technology that would allow you to bypass this step.

Here’s a quick rundown of some important steps when using a meter:
1.    Clean your hands with soap and water.
2.    Swab alcohol on the area of your finger that you will be sticking.
3.    Carefully prick your finger with the needle.
4.    Gently massage your finger to get the drop of blood to form.
5.    Place the drop of blood on the end of the testing strip.
6.    Turn on your meter and slide the test strip in.
7.    Wait for the device to calculate your glucose level.
8.    Reapply alcohol on a cotton ball to your finger to clean up.

Recommended blood sugar levels vary depending on who you ask. As a general rule, an ideal level before meals should be between 90 and 130mg/dl. After meals, it will rise a bit to about 180mg/dl. Blood sugar levels higher than that need to be evaluated and discussed with your doctor or dietitian. It could mean you are eating too many of the wrong carbohydrates, sugary foods, or processed foods.

Monitor your blood sugar levels in the proper manner so you have the information you need to keep your diabetes controlled. You should also incorporate an exercise routine into your daily schedule. You are allowed to count walking the dog as exercise. Your local veterinary specialist should be able to advise you on other ways to use your pets as an excuse to exercise. Your healthy diet, regular monitoring, and routine visits to your doctor will go a long way to combat the complications associated with diabetes.

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