Diabetes

14 07, 2022

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

2022-07-14T20:16:55+00:00

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

Source: Apollo Sugar Clinics

Can you really avoid the risk of diabetes? The truth is that you can. You do not have to suffer from type 2 diabetes which is the most common form of it. Knowing how you can prevent this disease is important when you are serious about living a long time and feeling your best.

Type 2 Diabetes has many symptoms, varying from person to person. If you have Type2 Diabetes or symptoms, most likely, you will have fatigue and trouble with sugar control. Before we talk about prevention, let us understand who is at risk.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps your body convert sugar (glucose) from food into energy. But people with diabetes do not always produce enough insulin or can not use it properly for a variety of reasons.

Diabetes is a serious, lifelong disease. It can cause heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and foot problems.

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

Source: The Indian Express

In diabetes, the body’s blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are too high or too low. Glucose comes from the foods we eat and is a source of energy for our bodies. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose during digestion. Our bodies use glucose for energy to do everything from breathing to running to thinking.

Blood glucose levels may rise if you have diabetes because your body cannot use blood glucose properly or make enough insulin to transport it into cells where it can be used as energy. This causes an increased risk for serious health problems over time.

Who Is At Risk Of Getting Diabetes?

1/3 of the world’s population has diabetes or pre-diabetes. It is a serious disease and has no cure. Diabetes affects people of all ages, but it is most common in middle-aged and older adults.

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

Source: Laurel Health Centers

Risk factors for developing diabetes include:

Genetics

Type 1 diabetes usually begins in childhood, although it can develop later in life. The condition appears to be hereditary, although other factors are also involved. Genetics plays an important role in developing type 1 diabetes.

People Who Are Overweight, Especially Around The Middle

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Being overweight increases insulin resistance — the body’s inability to use insulin properly — which may lead to type 2 diabetes. Overweight people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than are people with a healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24).

People With High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) increases your risk for type 2 diabetes by damaging your blood vessels. This can reduce their ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your body’s tissues, including your muscles, which may lead to fatigue, weakness, and weight loss. High blood pressure can be due to genetics or lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise habits.

People Who Do Not Exercise Regularly

You should aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. You can do this by walking 30 minutes each day (or 10 minutes three times per day), swimming, biking, or dancing. Talk with your doctor before beginning an exercise program if you haven’t done much in the past year.

People With High Cholesterol

People with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than people with normal cholesterol levels because high cholesterol can increase insulin resistance, making it harder for your body to use insulin effectively.

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

Source: House Of Diagnostics

People With A Family History Of Diabetes

People with a family history of diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. If you have a parent or sibling who has Type 2 Diabetes, there’s a 25 percent chance you will develop the condition yourself. If both parents have Type 2 Diabetes, there’s a 50 percent chance you will develop it yourself.

Race And Ethnicity

African Americans are more likely than other races/ethnicities to develop type 2 diabetes because they tend to have higher rates of obesity and lack access to health care services that could help prevent or manage their condition. A family history of type 2 diabetes also increases an African American child’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life — even if they are thin now!

People Who Smoke Or Drink Alcohol

Smoking and drinking alcohol are known risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The more you smoke, the greater your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially if you’re over 40 years old. Drinking too much alcohol also increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly beer and wine.

Older People

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes rises with age, especially after age 45. As your body ages, it becomes less sensitive to insulin, and this leads to higher blood glucose levels.

Women Who Had Gestational Diabetes

Women who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy are also at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes occurs when there’s too much glucose (sugar) in the mother’s bloodstream during pregnancy because her body isn’t using insulin properly during pregnancy.

Some Medications Can Put You At Risk For Diabetes

Steroids like prednisone, certain antibiotics such as metformin (Glucophage), chloroquine (Aralen), quinine (Qualaquin), tetracyclines like doxycycline, penicillin, and cephalosporins can all increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

How To Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

Source: Harvard T.H. Chan

Diabetes is a very common disease, but the good news is that it can be prevented and controlled. You can stay healthy and avoid the risk of diabetes if you follow the following tips:

Avoid Too Much Sugar

The first step in avoiding diabetes is to reduce your intake of sugar. Sugar can cause weight gain, which increases insulin resistance and leads to diabetes. Sugar comes in many different forms: fruit juices, sodas, cakes, and pastries are just some examples.

Follow A Healthy Balanced Diet

The second step to avoid the risk of diabetes is following a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables (at least five servings per day), low in fat, and with moderate amounts of carbohydrates (45-65% of total calories consumed). It’s also important to avoid any food that contains trans-fats or saturated fats, such as fried foods or fatty meats like pork loin chops or beef steaks.

Exercise Regularly

This is one of the best ways to keep your blood sugar levels healthy. Exercise helps to boost your metabolism and burn off excess fat cells that may be contributing to high blood sugar levels. It also helps strengthen your heart and muscles so they’re better able to handle stressors on the body — like performing tasks when you’re tired or stressed out — which can cause spikes in blood sugar levels in some people.

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

Source: Everyday Health

Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for type 2 diabetes because it causes damage to blood vessels and increases insulin resistance — which means your body needs more insulin to process glucose than usual. This increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes or becoming more resistant to insulin treatment if you already have it. That’s why quitting smoking is an important step toward preventing diabetes.

Avoid Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes because it can interfere with your body’s ability to break down glucose and use it for energy. It also increases your risk of becoming overweight or obese, which itself increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You should not drink alcohol if you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or have high blood pressure, as this will increase the risks associated with these conditions. If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men (one pint of beer or cider; one glass of wine; or one measure of spirits).

Monitor Your Weight

Keeping your weight under control may help prevent type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight, losing even 5 percent of your body weight can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by nearly 50 percent. Even if you’ve already been diagnosed with type 3 diabetes, losing 5 percent or more of your body weight will help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

Source: Everyday Health

Watch Your Blood Pressure

Keeping your blood pressure under control helps prevent heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the major risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes. If you already have high blood pressure, this can also increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The increased pressure can damage your blood vessels and affect how they work, leading to other problems like stroke and heart attack. So it’s important to keep track of your blood pressure levels by measuring them at home with a device called a sphygmomanometer or at your doctor’s office every year or two.

Keep A Check On Your Blood Glucose

Your doctor may recommend that you test your blood glucose levels regularly if you’re overweight or have another condition known to increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, such as high cholesterol levels, high triglycerides, or low HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels.

Avoid Weight Gain During Pregnancy And After Menopause

If you gain too much weight during pregnancy, your child will be at risk of developing diabetes later in life. If you gain more than the recommended amount during pregnancy, your child’s chance of developing adult-onset diabetes increases by up to 80 percent. Similarly, gaining weight after menopause increases your risk of developing diabetes. If you gain more than 10 pounds after menopause, your chances of developing diabetes increase by 50 percent.

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

Source: Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials

Control Your Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is carried in the bloodstream by molecules called lipoproteins. The two main types of lipoproteins are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is known as “bad” cholesterol because it builds up on artery walls and can lead to heart disease and stroke. HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from artery walls and transport it back to the liver for disposal through the bile ducts or intestines.

Drink Plenty Of Water Daily

About 8 glasses per day are recommended for adults. Water keeps the body hydrated and flushes out toxins from your system that might cause damage to your health in the long run if not flushed out regularly by drinking enough water daily while avoiding sugary drinks like sodas etc., which can cause more harm than good!

Avoid Stress

Avoid stress as much as possible because stress can lead to increased blood sugar levels due to increased cortisol production (a hormone secreted by your adrenal glands during times of stress), which causes an increase in blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance (insulin resistance occurs when cells no longer respond properly to

What Complications Are Caused Due To Diabetes?

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?

Source: PharmEasy

If you have diabeteshttps://houstonendocrinecenter.com/services/diabetes-education/, even if it’s well managed, your risk of problems related to the disease is much higher than for people who don’t have diabetes. Complications may include:

Heart Disease And Stroke

These are the leading causes of death among people with diabetes. They’re responsible for more than half of all deaths in people with diabetes. Heart disease occurs when fatty deposits build up in artery walls and narrow blood vessels (atherosclerosis). This makes it harder for blood to flow through the body. If a clot forms out of this narrowed artery, it can block blood flow to the heart or brain and cause a heart attack or stroke.

Kidney Damage

Diabetes can damage the kidneys over time, causing them to lose their ability to filter toxins and waste products from the blood. This leads to high levels of waste products in your urine (proteinuria) and eventual kidney failure if treatment doesn’t begin soon enough.

Eye Damage That Leads To Blindness

Diabetes can affect vision by damaging the small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to retina cells located at the back of your eye (diabetic retinopathy). This can lead to abnormal changes in vision such as blurriness or blind spots in one or both eyes — often without any warning signs.

Conclusion & Takeaway

You’ve heard the stats—that more than 29 million American adults have diabetes, that type 2 diabetes is on the rise among every age group, and that four out of ten people over the age of fifty have pre-diabetes. If you are one of them, you know the consequences can be devastating: kidney disease, loss of vision and circulation problems, heart attacks, and an increased risk of death. But those statistics should not prevent you from doing everything possible to avoid the risk of diabetes.

Alternatively, you can sidestep the chance of diabetes by taking charge now. By making some minor adjustments to your diet and lifestyle, you will be able to reduce excess weight and lower your blood glucose levels during the crucial ‘in-between’ period of 11-55 years of age.

Thanks for reading this blog. I hope you learned a thing or two. If you want to learn more about diabetes, I suggest you visit our website Houston Endocrine Center as we have so much information available for your guidance.

How Can I Avoid The Risk Of Diabetes?2022-07-14T20:16:55+00:00
8 07, 2022

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

2022-07-08T19:49:54+00:00

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Boston University

If you have diabetes, the world can seem like a scary place. There are all of these diabetes ins and outs, and it can be hard to keep up. And then there is the question of how many shots of insulin you need. This is a daunting question that can make even the best Type 1 Diabetics nervous. It is a confusing question, but there is one fact that is certain — you need your blood sugar under control.

Read this blog to learn more about diabetes if you are new to this disease and find answers to all your questions below.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body break down sugars and starches from the foods you eat into a form of energy you can use. When you have diabetes, your body can not make or use insulin correctly.

Diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and stroke. But it is important to know that there are different types of diabetes, and many people with diabetes do not get serious complications.

You can control diabetes by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and taking medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Shutterstock

What Are The Types Of Diabetes?

There are four types of diabetes:

  • Pre-diabetes
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Gestational diabetes

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: iStock

1. Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a significant risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

The American Diabetes Association defines pre-diabetes as a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes is often called “impaired glucose tolerance” or “impaired fasting glucose” (IFG). When diabetes occurs, the body becomes resistant to insulin and cannot properly use it to lower blood sugar levels. This leads to high blood sugar levels and the classic symptoms of diabetes: increased thirst and urination, fatigue, weight loss, and blurred vision.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: BioSpectrum Asia

2. Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks their own pancreatic beta cells. This causes a shortage of insulin, which leads to high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia).

Some people with type 1 diabetes need daily injections of insulin to stay alive. Others may be able to manage their disease with what is called “lifestyle management.” This means they monitor their blood glucose levels at home and make adjustments to their diet and exercise schedule as needed.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: BioSpectrum Asia

3. Type 2 Diabetes

This type affects 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes in the United States, and up to 17 million Americans have it — not just overweight adults but also children who are obese or have a family history of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 is often called “adult-onset” diabetes because it usually develops after age 25. However, some people develop type 2 as teenagers or even younger children if they are overweight at an early age and carry too much weight their entire lives. It is more common among African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Native Americans than among whites or Asian Americans.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Shutterstock

4. Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and affects women who have never had diabetes before and who were not diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes prior to becoming pregnant. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery; however, some women will continue to have high blood glucose levels after delivery making them at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life if they do not make changes in their lifestyle habits now.

Which Type Of Diabetes Is Worst?

You might be wondering, “Which type of diabetes is worst?” There is no easy answer to that question. In general, type 1 diabetes can be more serious than type 2 because it requires daily insulin injections and a strict diet to manage. The good news is that with proper treatment and care, both types can be managed successfully.

Type 2 diabetes is often linked to obesity and poor eating habits. However, anyone can develop type 2 diabetes regardless of weight or age.

Insulin lowers your blood sugar levels by helping glucose enter your cells so they can use it for energy. If your body does not produce enough insulin or if the cells ignore the insulin that is present in your body, then glucose builds up in your bloodstream instead of entering cells where it belongs. This can cause serious health problems such as kidney failure, heart disease, and blindness if left untreated.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Mijn Gezondheidsgids

What Is The Most Common Treatment For Diabetes?

The most common treatment for diabetes is to take insulin. Insulin is a hormone that your pancreas makes and stores, but when you have diabetes, your body does not make enough or can not use the insulin it makes.

Insulin helps glucose (sugar) get into your cells to give them energy. Without enough insulin, too much sugar stays in your blood instead of going into the cells. This can lead to serious problems with your eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves if not treated properly.

There are two main types of insulin: rapid-acting and long-acting.

  • Rapid-acting insulin starts to work within 15 minutes after injection, peaks at 30 minutes, and is out of your system by two hours.
  • Long-acting insulin takes longer to start working (one hour), keeps working between four and 12 hours, and is out of your system by 24 hours.

Are Insulin Shots Effective For People With Diabetes?

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Diabetes Self-Management

Insulin shots are effective because they can be used to lower blood sugar levels faster than any other form of medication. However, they also have some side effects that you may want to avoid.

Insulin shots can be used when oral medications are ineffective or cause too many side effects. They are also helpful if your doctor wants to control your blood glucose levels more precisely than other medications allow.

Insulin shots are effective for treating diabetes in several ways:

  • They can lower blood glucose levels faster than other medications. This is an important advantage because low blood glucose levels can be dangerous if left untreated for too long.
  • They can help a person reach their target blood glucose level as prescribed by their doctor more quickly and easily than oral medications do. This is especially true when doses of insulin must be adjusted frequently throughout the day based on each person’s needs and circumstances.
  • They allow people with type 1 diabetes to achieve normal blood glucose levels without having to eat carbohydrates all day long every day in order to maintain these levels while avoiding high blood sugar spikes.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

The answer is type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in children and adults. However, this percentage may be higher because many cases of type 1 diabetes are misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes at an earlier stage of the disease.

However, there are other considerations to keep in mind. If you have type 2 diabetes and take insulin, it is likely that your insulin dosage will be adjusted based on your blood sugar levels and other factors.

In addition, if you have type 2 diabetes and take pills (not shots), the pills will control your blood sugar. But they do not control it as well as insulin does.

Is There Any Other Easier Diabetes Treatment Than Insulin Shots?

Insulin shots are the most common form of treatment for diabetes, but they aren’t the only option. If you are trying to manage your diabetes without shots, you have several options that are just as effective and significantly less painful.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: EndocrineWeb

1. Insulin Pumps

In some cases, an insulin pump can be used in place of daily injections. This device is attached to a small catheter that’s inserted into your skin and connected to a small reservoir of insulin. The pump delivers small doses of insulin continuously through the catheter over a 24-hour period. The amount of insulin delivered by the pump varies according to your blood sugar levels and how many carbohydrates you eat during the day.

If you use an insulin pump, you’ll need to check your blood sugar levels frequently throughout the day and adjust your basal rate (the rate at which it releases insulin) accordingly. You may also need to check your blood sugar levels before meals so that you can adjust bolus rates (the additional amount needed after meals) appropriately. You’ll still need to test for ketones as well.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Diabetes UK

2. Insulin Pens

Insulin pens are a popular option for people with diabetes who use insulin. These small devices contain pre-measured amounts of insulin and a needle, which is inserted into the skin to deliver the medication. The pens have built-in safety features that prevent them from firing when they’re not properly attached to the skin, so there’s no risk of accidental needle sticks. They also allow users to dial in specific doses and administer them quickly.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Laboratory Equipment

3. Oral Diabetes Medication

Another option for treating diabetes is oral medications that stimulate your pancreas to produce more insulin. These drugs work by increasing the amount of glucose entering your cells, which helps lower your blood sugar levels.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Healthline

4. Injectable Glucagon

If you have diabetes and decide not to take insulin injections, glucagon can be used instead. It is an alternative treatment that works by raising blood sugar levels after a meal. This hormone is produced in the pancreas and released when the blood sugar gets too low. It helps control blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. This can help prevent a hypoglycemic reaction if you have Type 1 diabetes or if your insulin dose isn’t enough to keep your sugar levels stable throughout the day.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Healthline

5. Sugar-Free Liquids

There are many different types of liquids that can be taken as part of a diabetes treatment plan. You can choose from juices, sodas, teas, and even milk substitutes that contain no sugar whatsoever. These beverages have been shown to be just as effective at controlling blood glucose levels as insulin shots, though not quite as effective as oral medications like metformin or glipizide.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Etech Global Services

6. Making Lifestyle Changes

You can also help control your diabetes by making some lifestyle changes. These include:

  • Exercise regularly. Exercise can help to lower your blood sugar levels and prevent complications from developing.
  • Eat a healthy diet that includes lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, and fish. Avoid foods high in fat (such as fast food) and sugary drinks such as soda; these foods raise blood sugar levels quickly in people with diabetes and may cause weight gain over time as well.
  • Give up smoking and alcohol.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Diabetes UK

7. Intensive Insulin Therapy

If you are trying to manage your diabetes with diet and exercise alone — or if you are taking oral medications but still struggling with blood sugar levels — you may need more intensive treatment with injectable medications and/or insulin therapy. Intensive therapy generally includes multiple daily injections of insulin along with meal planning and exercise recommendations from your doctor. The goal of intensive therapy is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible, which will lower long-term complications like heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney failure.

Conclusion & Takeaway

In type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not produce enough insulin that your body needs. The patient, who had type-1 diabetes, has to inject four insulin shots a day to maintain a metabolic balance that would otherwise be thrown off by the influx of sugar after eating.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?

Source: Jake Dwyer, Michigan Medicine

People with diabetes have trouble extracting energy from the food they eat and are unable to control the amount of glucose in their blood. Your friends may assume you’re living a charmed life: after all, you have access to unlimited pizza and ice cream, right? Not quite. You see, every time you ingest 100 calories of carbohydrates—two slices of white bread or a cup of rice—your body turns them into 130 calories’ worth of glucose. In other words, there are about an extra 30 calories for you to store as fat.

If you are dealing with diabetes and requiring injections of insulin, our team can help. Endocrinologists at Houston Endocrine Center are diabetes experts and can prescribe the best treatment for you according to your requirements. If you do not want to get insulin shots daily, you can get our insulin pump management services which are easier and more effective than manual shots of insulin.

Which Type Of Diabetes Requires 4 Shots Of Insulin A Day?2022-07-08T19:49:54+00:00
7 06, 2022

Diabetes Self Management Education – All You Need To Know

2022-06-07T18:41:03+00:00

Diabetes Self Management Education

Source: UtahDepOfHealth

Are you a diabetic that needs help with your diet? Are you suffering from diabetic retinopathy and don’t know how to control it? Do you need medical attention related to your blood glucose? Do you know a few people that suffer from diabetes?

Because everyone is prone to diabetes nowadays, the only way to control diabetes is through education.

Diabetes is the leading cause of death in the world, according to the American Diabetes Association. There are approximately 26 million Americans who are alive today and suffering from type-2 diabetes, which is most often caused by obesity.

If you or your loved ones suffer from this disease, then you need to read through this blog about diabetes self-management education.

What Is Diabetes?

What Is Diabetes

Source: VectorStock

Diabetes is a disease in which your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it produces effectively. Insulin is what allows your body to move sugar from your blood into your cells, where it’s needed for energy production. The pancreas produces insulin when there’s an increase in sugar in the blood, such as after eating food. If you don’t have enough insulin, any excess sugar will build up in your bloodstream instead of being used for energy production. This can cause type 2 diabetes over time if left untreated.

What Is Diabetes Self Management Education?

Diabetes Self Management Education (DSME) is a program that aims to help people with diabetes learn how to manage their condition. The program involves a series of classes and workshops that can be taught by either a nurse or a trained volunteer.

How Does Diabetes Self Management Education Work?

Diabetes Self Management Education

Source: VectorStock

Diabetes self-management education is a structured educational program that can help people with diabetes to take control of their condition. It teaches you how to manage your diabetes, including what foods to eat and when, how much physical activity you need, how to recognize the warning signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and how to test your blood sugar level, and how to take care of any complications that may arise from the disease.

People who are newly diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes may need more than one session of diabetes self-management education. Typically, people with type 1 diabetes will have three sessions over 6 months with a registered dietitian (RD) certified in diabetes education. People with type 2 diabetes may have four or five sessions over 12 months with an RD certified in diabetes education.

Once you’ve completed the sessions, your health care provider will give you information about continuing your diabetes self-management education at home with written materials or online resources. You will also receive a free copy of Diabetes Forecast magazine each month for up to 2 years after completion of the program.

5 Important Things You Need To Know As A Part Of Diabetes Self Management Education

The goal of diabetes self-management education is to help you:

  • Develop an individualized program that will enable you to manage your diabetes and live a healthy life.
  • Learn how to manage risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight/obesity, and physical inactivity.
  • Understand the importance of exercise and healthy eating habits as part of managing your condition.

Your doctor will work with you to develop an individualized program that includes the following topics:

1. How Does Diabetes Affect Your Body?

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Body?

Source: VectorStock

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin. Insulin helps the body use glucose (sugar) for energy. When there is too much glucose in the blood, it can damage the blood vessels and lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and other complications.

It also increases your risk of blindness by half if you have diabetes and don’t control it well enough. Diabetes also puts you at greater risk for developing other health problems such as eye problems like cataracts and glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).

Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to some very serious health problems if left untreated. The best way to manage diabetes is through self-management education. This means learning more about diabetes, how you can control it, and how you can prevent complications from occurring.

2. What Risk Factors May Increase The Chances Of Developing Diabetes?

Diabetes Risk Factors

The following are risk factors for diabetes:

  • Age

The older you get, the greater your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

  • Race And Ethnicity

African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than Caucasians.

  • Family History Of Type 2 Diabetes

If you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, you’re at greater risk of developing the disease yourself.

  • Obesity

Being overweight increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes because excess fat cells in the body produce hormones that increase the amount of glucose circulating in your blood.

  • Physical Inactivity

Lack of exercise is the most common lifestyle factor associated with type 2 diabetes; regular physical activity helps control weight and improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance (the ability to clear glucose from the bloodstream).

3. The Importance Of Regular Physical Activity And Healthy Eating Habits.

Regular Physical Activity And Healthy Eating Habits

Source: VectorStock

Regular physical activity is important because it helps to control your weight, which in turn reduces your risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Exercise also helps to increase blood flow to the heart, which improves blood pressure control. Besides helping with weight management, exercise can help reduce stress levels, improve mood, and increase self-esteem! 

Eating a balanced diet is also important because it helps you feel full longer so that you don’t overeat or snack between meals. A balanced diet contains all of the nutrients (vitamins, minerals) necessary for good health without too many calories from fat or sugar. This combination leads to obesity if consumed regularly over time.”

4. How To Monitor Blood Sugar Levels And Use Medications Properly?

Monitor Blood Sugar Levels And Use Medications Properly

Source: VectorStock

Blood sugar levels are usually checked at least two times a day. The test must be performed on an empty stomach when the blood sugar level is at its lowest. The best time to take the test is between 4 and 6 o’clock in the morning, before breakfast. After taking the glucose test, it is necessary to wait 20 minutes for the result. If the results are within normal limits (70-110 mg/dl), then it is possible to eat breakfast, but you must not eat anything sweetened with fructose or alcohol (up to 3 glasses of wine).

If your blood sugar level is higher than 120 mg/dl or lower than 70 mg/dl, then you should immediately eat something sweetened with fructose or drink some juice without gas from fruits or vegetables.

Suppose your blood sugar level does not return to normal after eating or drinking something sweetened with fructose, and you take insulin injections for diabetes mellitus type 2. In that case, it is necessary to take 1 more dose of insulin and perform another glucose test in 30 minutes.

5. Treatment Options For The Diabetes

Treatment Options For The Diabetes

Source: VectorStock

There are several treatment options for diabetes. You may be asked to take one or more of the following types of medications:

  • Metformin

This medication helps to lower blood sugar levels and can also help preserve kidney function in addition to weight loss and exercise.

  • Oral Hypoglycemics

These include sulfonylureas, glinides, and meglitinides, which stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin. These medications may cause low blood sugar if not taken with food, but they have less risk of weight gain than other oral agents.

  • Insulin

If diet, exercise, and oral medications do not work sufficiently well, then insulin injections will be necessary.

  • Short-Acting Insulin

This type is taken before meals and has a very fast action time. It starts working immediately after you inject it into the body. As it starts to work quickly, it’s important that you eat something right after taking it.

  • Long-Acting Insulin

This type works slowly and lasts longer than short-acting insulin, which means that you can take it at any time of day and still get the same effect on your blood glucose levels. Long-acting insulin may also be mixed with short-acting one so that there is less chance of low blood glucose levels during sleep or exercise (euglycemia).

Other than medications, other treatment options include:

  • Eating A Healthy Diet. 

This includes eating less fat and more fiber, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It also means limiting portion sizes and choosing low-fat dairy products instead of high-fat ones.

  • Exercising Regularly. 

Find an exercise program that you enjoy and stick with it. Regular physical activity helps keep your weight down, lowers your blood pressure, and improves your cholesterol levels — all of which can reduce your risk of developing diabetes or make it easier to manage if you already have it.

  • Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking if you smoke — even a few cigarettes a day — increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Quitting smoking also reduces the risk of heart disease and other consequences of tobacco use.

Conclusion

Diabetes self-management education is an effective approach to managing your diabetes. Addressing the emotional, social, and physical needs of you or your loved one can help prevent complications and make life easier.

There are a lot more things you can do to lessen or even prevent the complications caused by diabetes. Studies have shown that self-management education for patients with Type 1 diabetes can be followed by better adherence and improved outcomes.

All of these efforts can be called diabetes self-management education. A good diabetes care team will help you learn how to manage your condition, but the end goal is to teach you how to help yourself.

Visit our website Houston Endocrine Center to get in contact with us. Our endocrinologist has the best suggestions for you!

Diabetes Self Management Education – All You Need To Know2022-06-07T18:41:03+00:00
6 06, 2022

What Are The Considerations For Blood Glucose Monitoring?

2022-09-28T14:36:26+00:00

It is known that any diabetic patient should monitor their blood glucose level. Markedly, for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes, measuring their blood glucose is not only one of the vital roles in controlling their disease but also a significant responsibility in living a healthy life as well.

A blood glucose level test is an essential aspect of care for most people with diabetes. While they give you important information, what are the considerations when you are doing one?

Blood Glucose Monitoring

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You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. That’s what our health blog is all about. In this blog, we’ll answer the most common question parents ask us: “What considerations should I take into account for blood glucose monitoring of my child?”

There are various factors to consider when you are monitoring blood glucose levels. Many people don’t realize how many things influence the reading they get, including where they put it and which strip they use. So let us get started!

Diabetes

Diabetes

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It is a chronic disease in which the pancreas can not produce the right quantity of insulin, or the body fails to make efficient use of it. This makes it difficult for the body to process blood sugar. It may lead to high levels of blood sugar that can damage the other organs of the body. 

Multiple factors can cause diabetes. Other than genes, your lifestyle can cause metabolic disorders. Eating unhealthy, being overweight, and living a sedentary life can increase your chances of having diabetes. 

Blood Glucose Monitors

Blood glucose monitors are medical devices that measure blood glucose levels. They are used to diagnose and monitor diabetes, as well as for other purposes.

The first blood glucose monitor was invented in 1906 by Sir Frederick Banting and James Collip, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1923 for their work. The first commercially available blood glucose monitor was released in 1978 by Roche Diagnostics.

Blood Glucose Monitors

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Blood glucose monitors have changed over time as technology has advanced. The earliest form of a blood glucose monitor was a glass tube filled with sugar inserted into the body. The sugar level in fluid changed depending on how much blood flowed through it. These devices had their issues, including the fear that they could cause serious injuries by introducing bacteria or potentially lethal amounts of sugar into patients’ systems. As a result of these concerns, other methods were invented.

The blood glucose monitor measures blood sugar concentration using a small sample of whole capillary blood. It typically uses an enzymatic reaction to measure the sample’s sugar (glucose) concentration and provide an output that shows either a numerical value or a graph on an LCD screen.

This output can help manage diabetes, identify patterns indicating pre-diabetes or diabetes, or test patients for diabetes. These meters are cheaper than most continuous monitoring systems but require frequent re-testing (every 5 minutes).

Blood Glucose Monitoring

Blood Glucose Monitoring

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Blood glucose monitoring is an essential part of diabetes management. There are a variety of reasons why you might want to monitor your blood sugar levels, including:

  • To keep track of your daily blood sugar levels. You can use this information to adjust your treatment plan and make sure that your medication is working properly.
  • To make sure that you are staying within the acceptable ranges for your treatment plan. If you don’t stay within these ranges, it may mean that you need to make some adjustments to your treatment plan.
  • To check for signs of complications from diabetes, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

The Main Considerations For Blood Glucose Monitoring

The goal of blood glucose monitoring is to find out what your fasting blood sugar level is before you eat. The number tells you how much glucose (sugar) is in your blood at that moment. Your doctor may also want to see how much glucose is in your blood after you have eaten.

You can get this information from a home blood glucose meter or from a nurse at the health center or doctor’s office. If you have type 1 diabetes, it’s important to test your own blood sugar because there are many things that can affect the number:

1. Your Weight

Your Weight

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Your weight can affect the accuracy of your blood glucose readings. If you weigh more than usual, then this may result in higher than usual readings. The opposite is also true – if you weigh less than usual, then this may result in lower than usual readings.

This is because fat cells in your body store large amounts of sugar, which can be released into the bloodstream when you are not eating enough food or exercising regularly. This can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar levels which can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

*Whether you are a diabetic or not, knowing your body weight is very important. It can tell you if your weight is within the healthy range or not. If it is not, then you will have to take some steps to bring it back to normal. To do this, you need to make sure that you are aware of your current weight and also the ideal weight for you.

2. How Much Exercise You Had

How Much Exercise You Had

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It is important to consider the amount of exercise that you do when monitoring your blood glucose level. This is because exercise can affect the way your body processes insulin and glucose, which could cause your blood sugar to become too high or too low.

If you have diabetes and are considering starting an exercise program, it’s important for you to talk with your doctor about what type of exercise would be best for you. If you have any questions about exercising with diabetes, ask your doctor or a certified diabetes educator (CDE).

The following guidelines may help:

  • Before starting an exercise program, check with your doctor about how much time should pass after taking medication before exercising. Your doctor may also recommend having a snack before exercising if you take insulin or other medications that may affect blood sugar levels during exercise.
  • If you take insulin or other medications that are used to treat diabetes and want to start exercising, ask your doctor how much time should pass between taking these medications and exercising.
  • If possible, don’t exercise on an empty stomach or right after eating because this could cause an increase in blood glucose levels during or after activity.

3. Your Stress Level

Stress Level

Source: VectorStock

You may have heard it before: stress is bad for your health. It’s true, but there’s another important aspect to consider.

Stress can affect your blood glucose levels, and the type of stress you experience can make a difference in how it affects your blood glucose levels.

If you are experiencing high-stress levels, it may be difficult to get an accurate reading from your blood glucose monitor. This is because stress causes blood glucose levels to rise in several ways:

  • Stress hormones such as cortisol affect insulin levels, making the body less able to use insulin effectively. This means that more insulin may be needed to control blood glucose levels at a given time.
  • Stress hormones may also increase the amount of glucose released from the liver into the bloodstream (hyperglycemia). This can happen even if someone does not have diabetes or another condition associated with increased blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia).

The effect of stress on blood glucose depends on how often the person experiences stress, how intense the stress is, and how long the person experiences the stressful situation.

4. What Time Of Day It Is

What Time Of Day It Is

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The time of the day can have a significant effect on your blood glucose readings. This is particularly true if you are taking insulin or other medications that lower your blood sugar.

The best way to avoid errors in your readings is by considering the time of day when you do your blood glucose monitoring. Here are some things to consider:

  • Measure your blood sugar at the same time each day. This will help you get a good idea of how your body reacts to different foods, stressors, and medications.
  • Eat a small meal two hours before testing so that your blood sugar levels are more consistent. The best time for blood glucose monitoring is before breakfast because it gives a benchmark for comparison with other readings throughout the day and night. The next best time is after a meal and before bedtime.
  • Do not drink alcohol before measuring your blood sugar level unless it’s been at least two hours since you last ate or drank anything other than water.

5. Taking Insulin Or Other Medications

Taking Insulin Or Other Medications

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If you were diagnosed with diabetes and are taking insulin, you may be wondering if it’s time to stop monitoring your blood glucose.

The answer is: It depends on several factors.

  • If you’re on a maintenance dose of insulin or other medications that control your blood sugar, there are no reasons to stop monitoring your blood glucose levels. You should continue testing as directed by your doctor, especially if you have any symptoms, such as feeling extremely thirsty or having blurry vision.
  • You should also continue monitoring if you have type 2 diabetes and are trying to lose weight or control your blood sugar with diet and exercise. If your doctor recommends it, you may need to adjust the amount of medication in order to reach the target range. It’s important that you regularly test so that adjustments can be made before your next appointment.
  • If you’re on insulin or another medication that causes low blood sugar, you may be able to skip the finger-prick test after meals if your mealtime blood sugar is within a certain range (such as 100 mg/dL to 140 mg/dL).

Conclusion & Takeaway

Glucose is an important energy source for most life forms. It is a simple sugar, and it is primarily derived from carbohydrates and starches such as fruits, vegetables, bread, and grains.

To ensure that the patient stays healthy, it is essential to monitor the blood sugar randomly. This will help to make sure that you maintain your sugar levels as well as reduce the risk of leg and eye complications.

stay healthy

Source: VectorStock

When heading out to purchase a glucose meter, one will want to consider certain aspects before choosing a specific test kit. Availability and convenience of the test strips are important, as well as ease of use of the meter. What features do I need on the meter, and how much is it going to cost? All of these questions can help narrow down the best choice for monitoring blood sugars.

You can also book an appointment with us for a detailed session about diabetes and blood glucose monitoring. Learn about the basic considerations so that you can look after yourself more carefully.

What Are The Considerations For Blood Glucose Monitoring?2022-09-28T14:36:26+00:00

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