Blood Sugar Level Control - 3 Strategies For Once A Day Checking Of Your Blood Sugars

I have shared some of the lows and highs of living with type 2 diabetes. Namely hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Ultimately as a person living with diabetes, the goal is to have blood sugar levels within the target range of 70-130 mg/dL.

A lot of times this may require frequent monitoring of blood sugars. This is where I usually encounter a lot of resistance from my patients. They complain that testing their sugars several times a day is painful. Also that the test strips cost a lot of money. Or that because of their work schedule they just don't have the time.

I found that the more I argued with them about this, the more resistant some patients became. In fact some even stopped coming in as scheduled. They would stretch out their appointments. So instead of coming in every three months, they made it twice a year.

Now that can be harmful as it is a surefire way to develop complications related to diabetes!

So I had to get creative with that segment of my patients that just were not going to check their blood sugars consistently.

Well here are three strategies that I came up with. For the most part they ended up being about compromise. Which I think is something that is very important if you are committed to living powerfully.

STRATEGY NUMBER ONE - ALTERNATE FASTING BLOOD SUGARS LEVELS WITH POST-PRANDIAL LEVELS

This is by far my favorite strategy.

This is how it works:

On a calendar, divide the month into odd-numbered and even-numbered days.

On odd-numbered days of the month, check your fasting blood sugar level.

On even-numbered days, check your post-prandial sugar levels. Try to vary the times that you check your post-prandial levels. For instance on one day check the levels after breakfast. The next time after lunch. At another time after dinner.

This is a great way to get a general view of how your sugars run during different times of the day. And not test more than once a day.

Remember to label the times that you check your sugars so that your doctor can understand the trend. I find that certain machines, like the Accucheck One Touch Ultra has a feature that allows labeling the blood sugars also. Check your machine to see whether you can do this.

STRATEGY NUMBER TWO - CHECK POST-PRANDIAL BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS OVER THE WEEKEND

Here is when I would recommend this strategy:

For the most part there are two types of blood sugar levels that determine how well controlled a type 2 diabetic is.

The fasting blood sugar level - the blood sugar level first thing in the morning. The target range for the fasting blood sugar is 70-130 mg/dL.

The second level is the post-prandial blood sugar level. This is the blood sugar level that is taken 2 hours after a meal. The level should be less than 140 mg/dL.

Diabetes type 2, is well controlled when both the fasting blood sugars levels and the post-prandial levels are within the target range.

Let's say I have a person who cannot check their post-prandial levels during the week due to their work schedule. I then encourage them to check the fasting levels during the week. And then over the weekend, focus only on checking their post-prandial levels.

They can do this by alternating post-prandial levels between breakfast, lunch and dinner over the 3 days.

STRATEGY NUMBER THREE - CHECK YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED DOCTOR VISIT

I only bring out this strategy when I am pushed to the wall. Literally I am begging a patient to work with me.

There is nothing more frustrating than not having an idea about how the blood sugars are running in between visits. It is like shooting in the dark. You get a blood test result that is high, but you have no idea how to go about correcting it.

As I tell my type 2 diabetes patients, on average they get to see their primary care physician between three to four times per year for routine diabetes care. What happens the remaining 361 days is left in their hands.

If you take blood sugars consistently for even two weeks before an office visit. And when combined with the hemoglobin A1C. Most times it is much easier to spot the problem.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK BOTH THE FASTING AND POST-PRANDIAL BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS:

In an earlier article I shared some important numbers that a person living with diabetes needs to know. One of those numbers is the A1C. This is also known as the glycosylated hemoglobin. The target range for the A1c is less than 6.5- 7%. In order to achieve that goal, the fasting blood sugars are within the target range of 70-130 mg/dL. The post-prandial levels also have to be consistently less than 140 mg/dL two hours after a meal.

If your A1C is high, then by keeping a log of the blood sugars, you will be able to pinpoint the problem.

For instance, if the fasting blood sugars levels are within normal range. But the post-prandial levels are high. Then perhaps you need to adjust portion sizes.

Are your fasting levels are running high? It may be that the evening medications need to be adjusted. Or that a late night needs to be cut out. Sometimes this may even mean that the nighttime medications may need to be cut down. But your physician needs to see your glucose log. So that they can target the problem. And create a customized plan for you.

START TODAY TO CHECK YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS

Perhaps you are a newly diagnosed diabetic. Or even if you have had diabetes for some time. But just never thought it important to check your blood sugars. Let's start out fresh.

Review the instructions of your glucometer. If you do not understand how to use it then check to see whether your local pharmacist can help you. If not call your doctor's office. And schedule a visit with the nurse. Most times they can help you. Most times the machines work the same way. A few have extra 'bells and whistles' attached to them.

Just as I share in my upcoming e- book, two of the hallmarks of living a powerful life with type 2 diabetes is being committed and persistent. If you do, you will go a long way to living free of diabetes complications.

Type 2 Diabetes - Stress Increases Blood Sugar Levels!

Stress will increase your blood sugar levels. There are many types of stress, and with the exception of maybe long-term emotional stress, they will all increase blood sugar. This also occurs in non-diabetics.

Stress has an incredibly negative impact on the body. It puts an unnecessary strain on the body - most notably your organs. In essence, stress can kill you, as seen in the high rate of heart attacks and stoke. But stress affects diabetics even more.

Stress also includes physical stress such as:

infections,trauma,surgery, or evenintense heat or cold

In all these situations, insulin resistance increases and in non-diabetic people increases slightly.

How is that possible? Because stress causes blood sugar levels to increase. The proof of this is seen anytime you are in a dangerous or stressful situation. Your body responds by giving you a boost of energy to get you through the dilemma. Where does that boost come from? Cortisol and epinephrine kick in to elevate sugar levels in assisting with the crisis.

Intense emotional stress that triggers the release of adrenaline, the fight-or-flight response, increase blood sugar levels slightly in non-diabetics and can make a diabetic person's blood sugar levels soar.

These fluctuations wouldn't be considered so vast in range for a non-diabetic, but for a diabetic they can be detrimental. That's because a non-diabetic has the ability to easily recover from these spikes, while a diabetic doesn't.

A common association with stress is emotional eating. This type of eating has nothing to do with hunger, but rather an episode or a situation that has occurred in the diabetic's life. Just like with sadness or sometimes even with fear, the individual medicates with food since it is non-judgmental and provides a sense of relief, albeit temporary in nature.

While this affects a non-diabetic's weight, it does more than this with a diabetic. It brings on wild spikes and dips in blood sugar levels. It also implements a wide array of medical conditions, some of which can be quite dangerous.

Plus, when a person with Type 2 diabetes is anxious and soothes themselves with food they are almost assuredly not exercising. This brings on a whole new realm of health concerns. Separately, the sedentary lifestyle or the massive intakes of food are bad for an individual. When placed together, they can jeopardize a diabetic's health very quickly.

The right thing to do is to find other ways to deal with stress. Having healthy snacks on hand is one surefire way. That way, if you get the urge to put something in your mouth, at least it will be a healthy choice.

The other positive way to deal with emotions is to exercise. Nothing burns off stress faster than getting up and moving. Even something as simple as walking can do wonders for lowering your stress levels. At the same time, you are benefiting your heart, your blood sugar levels, trimming your body down to a more healthy weight, and helping your entire body.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments

Type 2 Diabetes - Taking Diabetes And Blood Sugar Issues To Work!

Blood sugar levels can either rise or fall below normal levels in people who have received a diagnosis of full-blown Type 2 diabetes, or those who yet have no idea they are on the way to developing diabetes. This is either called hypoglycemia when the blood sugar falls below levels in the normal range, and hyperglycemia when it rises above standard levels. When operating normally, the body restores the blood sugar level to a range of approximately 82 to 110 mg/dL (4.4 to 6.1 mmol/L).

Both of these situations can be dangerous when they occur. These variations take place inside a body when there is a malfunction of the insulin hormone. Insulin is known to keep the blood sugar levels in the body stable. However, due to certain body malfunctions, insulin either gets produced in large quantities or less quantities. Keeping a balance of this hormone is essential: keeping your blood sugar levels in the normal range will almost ensure you will never develop diabetes complications. If you already had early complications when you were diagnosed, it can even reverse some complications like neuropathy.

When you have blood sugar issues, it is necessary you be alert all the time, even at work. Your work place is where you tend to get involved in tension or stress very easily... this can lead to a spike or crash. Keeping a balance of your blood sugar levels while at work can be done in the following ways.

1. Avoid drinking sweetened drinks and a lot of tea and coffee during working hours. Sugar filled drinks are empty calories you don't need on top of having too much sugar.

2. If you work at a desk, then make sure you get up once an hour and walk around the office for about 5 minutes before starting work again.

3. Keep your lunch time routine. You don't need to brown bag all your lunches. Call ahead of a restaurant if you are unsure of what they offer - ask what could be substituted or what options exist. This means when you arrive at the restaurant you already have a plan... and less anxiety. Most cafeterias or restaurants offer salad bars, diet soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, and low-fat salad dressings. These items are used by everyone, so you will not stand out in the crowd or be labeled.

4. Do not start work immediately after lunch. Take a short walk to help lower your blood sugar levels after eating.

Try to stay away from treats and sweets at the office because they can really wreak havoc on your body. The workplace can be one of the hardest locations to maintain a balanced blood sugar level simply because everyone is always bringing in cakes and cookies for different events. If you know these things happen, make sure you have a stash of something you can enjoy too.

Exercise is the mantra when balancing blood sugar levels. When in the office you cannot do strenuous exercises so even a short walk up the stairs, instead of using the elevator, would help. Exercise burns off excess blood sugar, so taking the stress reducing walk at lunch, or choosing to walk up the stairs over riding the elevator, can really help keep your blood sugar levels balanced.

See how your job actually affects your blood sugar. Take a week and test at various times throughout your work day to see if you experience any trends. Take this information along when you visit your doctor so he can help you to devise ways to do some preventative planning to avoid swings.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments

How to Naturally Lower Blood Sugar Levels?

About Diabetes

There are currently some 25.8 million people suffering diabetes in the US (8.3% percent of the population), according to figures from the National Diabetes Information Clearing House. Of these, 18.8 million have been diagnosed with the illness, while a further 7 million are unaware that they have the problem.

Glucose is an essential source of energy for the brain and for the body. Glucose comes from carbohydrate foods, which are changed into glucose after we have eaten them.

The Insulin that the body produce transport glucose from the blood supply into fat and muscle cells, where it can be used for energy and switch off the liver once the level of glucose in the blood is high enough.

There are two main types of diabetes:

Type 1
People who do not make any insulin have Type 1 diabetes. They tend to lose weight very quickly because their body is actually being starved. They therefore require insulin by injection plus healthy eating to stay alive and maintain good health.

Type 2
People with Type 2 diabetes are still making insulin but the production is weak or their body is resistant to insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be treated with weight loss and regular physical activity. Medication in the form of tablets is often required to reduce the resistance to insulin or to stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in that the pancreas continues to get more sluggish over time.

Natural herbal tea remedies and lowering blood sugar levels

Drinking certain herbal tea remedues decreases the body's resistance to insulin, the cells get re-influenced by the insulin, absorb the sugar, disassemble it and as a result stabilize the levels of sugar in the blood.

Glucole herbal tea remedy, which was developed by Galilee Tisanes, is a natural mixture of medicinal herbs for reducing and balancing sugar levels in the blood. The tea reduces sugar and breaks down carbohydrates and fats, which rise to dangerous levels in diabetics after they eat a meal.

The tea, which includes the herbs, Stevia, Gymnema, Sage, Lemon grass, Olive leaves and Lemon verbena, rehabilitates and activates the pancreas, causing it to secrete insulin, a hormone which helps the cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream and use it to produce energy, thereby reducing sugar levels in the blood. In addition the tea helps diabetics absorb the insulin into their bodies.

Glucole tea is free of industrial extracts, preservatives or colorings. It contains Stevia - a plant that is 300 times sweeter than sugar but is not ingested in the body. This makes it naturally sweet and tasty, without the need for any additional sugar or artificial sweeteners.

How to Battle Out Sugar Addiction

Experiencing sugar cravings doesn't mean that you are feeble. Health care experts suggest that there are some actual biological reasons behind sugar addiction. When it comes to weight loss, sugar and sweets are definitely detrimental. Excessive amount of sugar in body can weaken the immune system, contributes to weight gain, tooth decay, depletion of nutrients, and acidification of body plus enhances the risk of cancer. Sugar is carbohydrate. It is a quick source of serotonin which is known to be a 'feel good' chemical messenger of body. When it comes to the question how to stop craving sugar, it is strongly recommended to follow a healthy diet full of nutrients and devoid of sugar.

Everyone has a sweet tooth. It is quite natural. When the taste of sugar touches your tongue, it tends to send nerve impulses to the brain. This hits the pleasure center helps you to feel good. Many people like sweets to lighten up their mood. Anything in excess is not good for health, be it drug or sugar. It can cause obesity, diabetes or heart diseases. Thus, it is very essential to battle out the sugar addiction with right eating plans. Learn how to curb your desire to have sweets.

You can continue with your current eating habits with the first two approaches of reducing sugar cravings. When it comes to follow the third approach to get over the sugar addiction, you need to keep the scientifically developed low calorie diet plan in mind. According to reliable surveys, it has been noticed that cold turkey reduction of sugar consumption brings forth more powerful results in a short time span as compared to the gradual way. All you need to do is cut out sugar intake in all forms such as cookies, candy, or cupcakes. Plus, you are required to control the high carbohydrate temptations like bread, chips, crackers, croutons etc. following Low Carb Diet Menu Plans is certainly not a cake walk. You need to be determined with your persistent efforts.

High Cal food is said to be a dieter's worst enemy. In such a scenario, Paleo diet can be the finest preferences to lead a healthier life without sugar addiction. It is basically a diet of natural foods. This kind of diet is considered to possess equal amount of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. This is the reason why they serve the purpose to reduce the sugar cravings. Nowadays, there is umpteen numbers of Paleo Cookbooks available to get well-versed with the cooking methods. You can find the most popular Paleo recopies over such informative websites.

In the gradual approach to reduce sugar cravings, some healthier foods are incorporated in the diet plan. It helps you to get an improved lifestyle. The planned low Carb diet involves combination of nutrition and low calorie food. Paleo diet is the best answer to your sweet or sugar addiction. What are you waiting for then? Find out the best Paleo Diet Cookbooks over internet and make your way for a healthier and happier lifestyle.

My Blood Sugar Levels Are Normal - Why Do I Still Feel So Lousy?

I previously wrote about hypoglycemia. Now let's discuss the other extreme- hyperglycemia. And how it can be a challenge to treat.

'But doctor I feel perfectly fine even though you say my sugars are running high. In fact I feel really lousy when they are within normal range. So this must be normal for my body'

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that statement or a semblance thereof. No doubt one of the things I emphasize to all my patients is the importance of keeping their sugar levels within target range.

According to the American Diabetes Association, the target blood sugar range should be between 70-130 mg/dL for fasting blood glucose (3.9-7.2 mmol/L). And after meals it should be less than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L).

Some people with type 2 diabetes begin to act like they have hypoglycemia at the target range. In other words their body tricks them into feeling bad with all the symptoms of hypoglycemia. They eat to counteract the feelings. And their blood sugars rise outside of target range.

Eventually, this leads to poorly controlled diabetes. When the blood sugars remain outside of the target range then this can lead to complications.

So why do some people with diabetes feel 'bad' when their sugars are really within the target blood sugar range?

I like to explain it this way:

Everybody has a set thermostat so to speak. This thermostat is set to a range for each person.

For instance, as you may notice, the normal fasting sugar levels for a non-diabetic is a range 70-99 mg/dL. So as long as the sugar levels are in that range then it is normal.

This set level is called homeostasis. Everyone has a set level that his or her body systems function at.

When type 2 diabetes sets in, one of the first things that happens is that the body attempts to reset the thermostat. So that it can continue to function at a normal level. Instead of functioning with blood sugars between 70-99 mg/dL, the body makes an attempt to function at a higher blood sugar level.

By the time the symptoms of diabetes set in, the blood sugar levels are usually well over 180 mg/dL.

This is why it is important to screen for diabetes early.

So now we have 'a reset thermostat'. Think about it like an air-conditioning system. If the thermostat is set at 73 degrees then the system does not come on until the temperature rises above 73 degrees. And then it cools the room down till it is below 73 degrees and then turns off.

In the case of a diabetic, the 'blood sugar thermostat' has been reset to a higher level. Say over 180 mg/dL.

Now here comes an ambitious healthcare provider. Our goal is to get the blood sugar levels down to the target range. Because from research, we know that when we achieve this goal, the complications of diabetes are reduced.

However, as the blood sugars begin to go down with treatment, the body sends out alarm signals. These alarm signals feel just like hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a very scary feeling for a type 2 diabetic. Once they experience it once, most diabetics will usually do everything they can to avoid experiencing again.

So how can you bring your blood sugars levels down to target range without feeling lousy?

Here are some tips to discuss with your healthcare provider. Remember open communication leads to better results.

If you are experiencing this issue make sure you follow up with your doctor.Discuss about possibly bringing the sugars down slowly. This way their 'thermostat' resets itself slowly without sending out those alarm signals.If you feel that your blood sugars are dropping low, check the levels first before eating. Most times the blood levels are still outside of range.Do not to skip a meal. Try to eat smaller more frequent meals.

Remember that your goal is to maintain your blood sugar levels within the target range. This requires that you are committed to your health. And also that you are willing to ask questions.

Learn How to Control Your Diabetes and Blood Sugar

Diabetes can be controlled but you have to make changes in your life. If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes then understand that the way you eat has to change. When you make changes to your diet then it is easier to control your blood sugar. There are medicines that you can take that will help to bring your numbers down. You should take these along with changing your eating habits. You will find that making small changes can make a big difference.

When you have this disease your body does not produce the right amount of insulin. This can cause you to have health issues such as problems with your hands and feet. Having diabetes is a serious condition and you should do anything you can to control it. The only one that can make it better is you because you control what you eat and how much you move. The more good foods you consume the better off you will be.

When we talk about eating good foods this means ones that are low in sugar. You have to remember that foods that contain carbohydrates will eventually turn into sugar so they can be as bad for you as a candy bar. It is easy to over look these foods and after you consume them wonder why your blood sugar levels are so high. When you have diabetes you have to worry about your blood sugar being too high and too low. When it drops too low you can black out and have to go to the hospital as well.

Another important component of controlling your diabetes is exercise. You may have not spent much time exercising at all. The secret to getting more exercise and lowering your blood sugar is finding something you like doing. Walking is easy to do and you can make time for it. If you set up a plan and start out slowly then you can be gaining all the benefit you can from exercising. You may find a friend of someone that you work with that would make a great walking partner.

Remember that controlling your diabetes is key to staying healthy. When you decide to make a change in your lifestyle then you will find that it comes natural to keep your numbers under control. Eating foods that are healthy for you is important. Avoid foods that are processed and stay with naturally grown ones. They are healthier and have less sugar in them as well. Find the time to go out and get some exercise so that you can keep your diabetes in control.

Losing Weight and Lowering Your Blood Sugar

If you have diabetes then you know how hard it can be to control your blood sugar levels. Eating certain foods can help you to lower your blood sugar levels. Diabetes can cause a lot of problems so it is important to do all you can to keep it within control. Using diet can benefit you because you can control what goes into your body and this can make a big difference in your numbers. Even though you have this disease you can control it and have a healthy life.

The one thing that people with diabetes struggle with is knowing which foods to stay away from. There are foods that are sugar based such as candy and ice cream that are easy to spot. Others that are rich in carbs can be a lot harder to detect. When you eat foods that are high in carbs they will turn to sugar in the body and cause your blood sugar numbers to be high. Make sure that you know which foods these are and try to avoid then if possible.

Having the right amount of nutrient is important for you to be healthy. Try to eat plenty of vegetables and low carb meats. These are meats that are not breaded with something. There are fruits that are typically lower in sugar such as strawberries that can be good to eat as well. The main focus is for you to create a diet plan that consist of foods that help you to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Make sure that these foods are ones that you like to eat. You want to stay on this diet and make it a way of life so eating foods that you enjoy eating make this much easier.

When you are shopping in your local store try to buy items that are naturally grown instead of processed. This is a good rule of thumb because most items that come from the ground are going to be better for you. They will have valuable nutrients for your health and will also help you to maintain your diabetes. Most processed foods are not as healthy for you and can contain carbohydrates that will only raise your blood sugar.

Remember that losing weight can have many heath benefits. The key to reaching your weight loss goals is finding a diet plan that you can stick with on a daily basis. You have to remember that with any plan you are going to have ups and downs but make sure that you enjoy the food that you are eating. Lowering your blood sugar will help you keep your diabetes in control. You want to eat a good diet and avoid things such as carbohydrates that can cause your sugar levels to spike.

Type 2 Diabetes - Weight Gain After Quitting Smoking And The Effect On Blood Sugar!

Thinking about quitting smoking can actually cause anxious feelings in some individuals. How will I cope if I can't smoke? How will I do it? What if I gain a lot of weight? What if I fail?

Although quitting smoking has many benefits, one unfortunate side effect is weight gain. In the month of October, 2011, the Journal of Epidemiology reported the results of a study on quitting smoking and blood sugar levels, performed by the Kanagawa Health Services Association in Japan.

Nine hundred and forty-six volunteers who had stopped smoking were included in the study. After 3 years, the people who had gained weight were found to have higher blood sugar levels than they had at the beginning of the study. Blood sugar levels went up at the same rate as their body weight, and were greatest for those who had smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day.

Smoking increases the levels of adrenalin, which can help to burn calories, but it is not a good way to maintain normal body weight. Individuals planning to quit smoking need to compensate by either cutting back on calories (or kilojoules), and/or by increasing their physical activity. Exercise has the advantage of:

getting smokers away from their frequently used environments, andhelps them to substitute another activity for the smoking.

Many smokers smoke to relieve stress... exercise is also a great way to relieve stress.

Studies have shown exercise decreases the cravings for tobacco. But to be effective, exercise must be frequent. In August 2011, the journal Addictive Behavior reported on a study from the Institute for Community Health Promotion at Brown University in Rhode Island, USA. Sixty female smokers completed an eight week program on smoking cessation that included counseling and a nicotine patch before being assigned either to:

three weeks of aerobic exercises, orno exercise at all.

Women in the exercise group, reported having not only decreased cravings but also higher energy levels and less tiredness.

The bad news is their cravings returned between exercise periods. It was therefore concluded exercise could be successfully used to help anyone quit smoking if exercise was participated in often.

Another study which was reported in the journal Pediatrics October, 2011, found teenagers, especially boys, were better able to quit smoking if they were given physical activity training along with other forms of therapy. Investigators at West Virginia University School of Medicine, in Morgantown, a city with a record for the least healthful habits in the USA, included 233 smokers ranging in age from 14 to 19 in this study. They were assigned to three groups and provided with either:

brief intervention,a teen cessation program called Not on Tobacco, orNot on Tobacco with physical activity.

At the end of six months, adolescents in the Not on Tobacco program along with exercise had the greatest rate of successfully quitting smoking. Boys in the exercise program had a higher rate of quitting than girls in the same program. It was concluded physical activity along with an effective adolescent smoking cessation program, could be a more effective way of treating nicotine addiction in adolescents.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments