The key to effective blood sugar management is by keeping blood glucose levels within normal range. Regular testing of blood sugar levels is the only way to know if your blood sugar management techniques are effective. By managing your diabetes you have less chance of having serious health problems, such as kidney disease and vision loss.
Let us try to understand sugar levels and blood sugar management in detail-
The two different test to measure sugar levels are:
- Haemoglobin A1c test: This test measures your sugar levels over the last 3 months.
- A finger prick test: This test is done using a glucose measuring machine or a glucometer, where you insert your blood sample and get immediate results.
The ideal sugar levels
- Before Meals 80-120 mg/dl
- At Bedtime 100-140 mg/dl
How often should you check your sugar level?
The number of times you check blood sugar depends on the type of diabetes that you have and the type of medicine you take to treat diabetes.
Example: People who take insulin may need to check more often as compared to those who do not take insulin.
The common times for checking your blood sugar are fasting – this is when you just wake up, before a meal, 2 hours after a meal, and at bedtime.
How to know high or low sugar levels without testing:
If you feel any of these you may have high sugar levels also known as Hyperglycemia.
- Extreme tiredness
- Extreme thirst
- Blurred vision
- Constant urge to urinate
If you feel any of these you may have low sugar levels also known as Hypoglycemia.
- Shakiness
- Extreme sweating
- Extreme hunger
Observe and check if you have any of these symptoms. Keep monitoring your sugar levels on a regular basis if you want to know how effective your sugar management measures are working for you. Take all the necessary measures suggested by your health coach when you know whether you fall in the high or low range.
