Diabetes Demands Your Attention

If it is time for your periodic physical check up, or have some symptoms associated with diabetes, get yourself tested. If blood sugar levels remain out of control they will gradually wear down important body cells. Control is the number one goal in caring for diabetes.

When first told of diabetes, I remember saying “My diabetes isn’t serious, I only have to take a pill” and “My sugar is just a little high, I’m borderline diabetic” I didn’t take this serious disease as seriously as I should have, until I went to some diabetes educational sessions.

I quickly learned that diabetes is a chronic disease that demands attention, and if you are unconcerned or in denial, it will not minimize the potential devastation on your bodies systems.
A little extra sugar every day, year after year wears down vital body cell functions. That’s why they call it a silent killer. If you fine tune your levels on a daily basis, it really does help slow down and prevent long term complications.

Your body should be valued and respected, and maintained. It requires maintenance just like your house, car or other important equipment, if you want it to last.

When routine maintenance is neglected breakdowns occur no matter whether it is an object or a person. Steven Covey calls it maintaining the P-PC balance, or Production versus Production Capability.

Glucose levels need to be monitored and controlled on a routine basis. You need to know where they should be and keep them there so you can prevent or delay complications. Diabetes won’t go away but some hard work and dedication will give you a healthier life now and down the road also.

Pre-Diabetes is when the fasting glucose is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, or if two hours after eating its between 140-199 mg/dL If you are in these ranges over a few days and don’t know why, call your healthcare provider

If you wonder what symptoms to look for here are some guides and tips:

High Blood Glucose called (hyperglycemia) can be caused by too much food, not enough insulin, or diabetic pills, stress or illness. The symptoms include extreme thirst, always hungry, need to urinate often, dry skin, blurred vision, sleepy, or cuts or wounds take a long time to heal.

In the morning before breakfast (called fasting level) if your level is 126 mg/dL or higher for two occasions.

Random blood sugar test is 200 mg/dL or more for two occasions.

An oral blood sugar test is 200 mg/dL or more for two occasions.

Low Blood Glucose called (hypoglycemia) can be caused by too little food, skipping meals, too much insulin, or diabetic pills, or more active than usual The symptoms include shakiness, fast heartbeat, sweating, dizzy, anxious, always hungry, blurred vision, weakness or fatigue, headache, or irritable.

If you have diabetes and can’t check your levels right away, treat the symptoms by eating 3-5 pieces of hard candy like peppermints, or 3-4 glucose tablets, or drink about 4 oz of fruit juice or even ½ can of regular soda.

These symptoms can come on quickly, and initially can be frightening. If you get some quick energy they go away within about 15 minutes or so. If they don’t, call my doctor right away.