Monday 20 July 2009

Type 2 Diabetes - How to Stabilize Your Blood Sugar Levels!

By Brian V Shortt

Sufferers of type 2 diabetes at times walk a fine line between hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia simply because their bodies cannot process blood sugars as effectively and efficiently as non-diabetics. However, don't despair regarding this because balanced blood sugar levels can be achieved although, it must be emphasized, it will still be relatively elevated when compared with non-diabetic levels.

Therefore, you must consult with your health care provider to determine the target blood glucose range appropriate for you.

Three of the most basic steps to help you include:

1: With the aid of your individual glucose meter, regular blood sugar level testing at times agreed with your health care provider, will help you determine the pattern with which your levels rise and fall. Of course your activities, foods consumed and time of day will make a difference. Don't forget issues like stress, depression, pain, poor mobility and illness come into play as well.

After you have determined your personal pattern your diabetes management plans will be easier to tailor to your needs. In other words, you can then make the needed changes to your lifestyle to stabilize your blood sugars.

2: Various conditions, like type 2 diabetes, send you warning signals when something is not quite right. You must learn to listen to your "body talk" ... Your body will constantly show you but you must be aware of the symptoms of high or low blood sugars. For examples an unquenchable thirst, frequent urination and extreme tiredness are all signs your levels are high. If you are taking insulin and maybe missed a meal, you would suffer signs of a "hypo" and they could include pale sweaty skin, palpitations, confusion, slurred speech or maybe a headache.

As soon as you know your signs and symptoms take immediate action, i.E. Monitor your blood sugar levels, inject insulin, take glucose tablets, and/or eat food. Don't wait for your symptoms to go away as your capacity to remedy the situation may fade quickly.

3: Even after you give your type 2 diabetes your complete attention, blood sugar levels can be unpredictable. So it is really crucial for you to know the level you should be aiming for. Most people who have diabetes should aim for:

* an HbA1c of less than 7 per cent * a pre-meal blood glucose level of 4 to 6mmol/l (72 to 108 mg/dl) or 3.5 to 6mmol/l (63 to 108 mg/dl) if you are not taking insulin or diabetic medications * a level of 4 to 8 mmol/l (72 to 144 mg/dl) measured two hours following your meal.

Don't overlook to share with your relatives and friends the steps you would like them to take if you are unable to help yourself. Put up your health care provider's telephone number in conspicuous places so they can contact him when emergency situations occur.

By keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range you can slash your risk of developing complications and live a long and healthy life even with type 2 diabetes.

Running consistently high blood sugar levels when you have type 2 diabetes increases your risk of developing complications such as heart problems, stroke, macular degeneration and other circulatory conditions, besides recurrent infections.

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