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    Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

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  • Living with diabetes blog

  • May 22, 2010

    Why blood sugar control is so important

    By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

18 comments posted

Controlling Your Diabetes

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"I don't feel bad, why is good blood sugar control so important?"

We've heard this from patients so many times. Diabetes is a deceptive disease in that most people diagnosed with diabetes have probably had it for a number of years without knowing. The symptoms aren't obvious.

The average blood sugar rises gradually and as it rises there is damage occurring throughout the body. Out of control blood sugar levels can lead to serious short term problems such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis.

In the long run, uncontrolled blood sugar can also damage the vessels that supply blood to important organs, like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. This can occur even when you feel OK. That's why it's so important to take action as soon as you're diagnosed with diabetes. Our bodies are amazing, but unfortunately once you have a heart attack or stroke, or your kidneys fail, or you become blind, the damage can't be undone.

The good news is that paying attention to blood sugar control can help keep you healthy and prevent health problems from happening later. Some tips:

  • Keep your blood glucose within your goal range as much as possible. Work with your diabetes team to develop and maintain a plan.
  • Take your diabetes medication as prescribed. If you're on insulin, ask to see a diabetes educator to learn how to adjust your dose.
  • Increase physical activity. If you aren't physically active, talk to your health care provider about suitable activities. If you haven't exercised in awhile, consider beginning with five to ten minutes of daily physical activity and gradually increase your activity to at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
  • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Even a 5 percent to 7 percent weight loss will help you better manage your blood glucose.

The quality of your future life depends on the decisions and actions that you take today.

Peggy

18 comments posted

blog index

  • April 16, 2013 2:41 p.m.

    Lorne, unfortunately T2 diabetes is a progressive disease and the pancreas does not work as well as time goes on and needs additional help, medication will need to be added to the management program to keep good blood glucose control.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • April 10, 2013 9:47 a.m.

    I have been able for 5-6 years to keep blood sugar readings stable & within normal range with exercise & good eating habits, but lately can't keep my morning fasting under 7.0; sometimes it exceeds 8.0. Why does it go up overnight & what can I do?

    - lorne

  • October 20, 2011 10:24 a.m.

    Annie: Along with your health care provider, we strongly recommend that you consult with a certified diabetes educator in your area if possible.Your diabetes team should be able to give you all the educational materials needed to help you manage your diabets.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • October 12, 2011 1:44 p.m.

    Where can I find a chart or article that explains what blood sugar levels should be at various times of the day? And when to test? This is all very new to me. I've lost 18 pounds, but recent bloodwork showed my bloodsugar and A1C even higher than before. Following that, I read that extensive exercise prior to fasting bloodwork can actually raise one's sugar levels. Aargh - I swam a mile prior to having the last bloodwork drawn. This is all very confusing. Thanks for your assistance.

    - Annie

  • September 7, 2010 10:47 p.m.

    I have recently learned my insurance company is not allowing more than 4 testing strips per day. I am type 2 on insulin and had always understood checking my levels when I wake up, before meals, 2 hours after meals and at bed time. Well, that's 6-8 times per day if I eat 3 times as recommended. Fuck our government if this is the way it is. There is no regulation offered by our government. Which tests do I sacrifice so HMO can continue to enjoy it's 1200% profit margins? I have found nothing on ADA's website and vague answers for type 2 on insulin. 2012 can't come soon enough..

    - Eric

  • August 19, 2010 11:36 p.m.

    There are several nutritional supplements that are having amazing effect on blood glucose levels. I wish the medical industry could educate people about these & how they are helping both type 1 & 2 diabetes. How do we find out more info about natural supplements that balance glucose levels? I have several friends who ranged from as low as 32 (coma) to highs of 700 (again comma) and are experiencing less lows and the highest levels of 165 for the last 3 months. One friends optometrist asked her what she was doing because her microaneurysms had reversed on it's own! Will Insurane ever pay for preventative, natural medicine???

    - Dannie

  • August 15, 2010 Noon

    Thanks for your response in June-However, my doctor now says I do not have diabetes. My last A1C was 5.45 and my glucose in the mornings ranged from 105-130 with only one or two readings at the high level. Mostly in the 110-120 range. I lost 8 pounds and work out 4 days a week. I will be tested again in 6 weeks. I'm still sticking to a low sugar diet so I won't have any more high readings. Thanks for your help.

    - Elaine

  • July 27, 2010 3:24 p.m.

    Valerie, sometimes when people exercise, adrenaline is released and the adrenaline will raise the blood glucose a bit.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • July 20, 2010 9:10 p.m.

    My husband was recently diagnosed with Type 2 and we are trying to control through diet and excercise. He is not on medication at this time. Tonite when he worked out (hard - weights/cardio) he became very dizzy and when we checked his blood sugar it was 150. He had eaten 2 1/2 hours before he worked out. We find lots of info on low sugar after working out, but outside of insulin (which we don't have) how do we get his blood sugar down, and why did it go up instead of down? Thanks so much for your help. So much to learn.

    - Valerie

  • July 8, 2010 3:34 p.m.

    My husband is Type 1 and maintains tight control. However, he tends to be hypoglycemic during the night whenever he is experiencing emotional issues such as the death of his brother and most recently our son going to college. My question is I have heard there is an insulin pump with a built in glucose monitor that has an alarm sound whenever the patient is becoming hypoglycemic. Is this true? I sometimes have to travel for work and can't imagine leaving him alone now that our son has left for college.

    - Deb

  • June 11, 2010 8:53 a.m.

    Elaine: A normal fasting blood glucose target range for an individual without diabetes is 70-100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 3.9-5.6 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). The American Diabetes Association recommends a fasting plasma glucose level of 90-130 mg/dL (5.0-7.2 mmol/L) and after meals less than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). We recommend that you work closely with your medical provider and a certified diabetes educator.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • June 8, 2010 7:57 a.m.

    How long does it take to get a response? I posted my comment on June 5 and it is June 8. I really could ue some info.

    - Elaine

  • June 5, 2010 1:50 p.m.

    What is considered a safe blood sugar reading range? mine varied 104-149 this past week. (I just started self testing). My A1C was 6.9.I'm having trouble understanding all this.

    - Elaine

  • May 27, 2010 2:31 p.m.

    Charles you could be correct about the beans. I have already had heart surgery so should not be eating beef anyway. Pat, please don't give up and see a diabetes doctor. Check you bg several times a day. Think people who do have the best control. You will see what runs your bg up and what does not. The ADA used to have a good message board but the change ruined it in my opinion. I use others now.

    - Linda

  • May 27, 2010 1:52 a.m.

    Pat, Goodluck with your upcoming blindness or possible stroke. I fight with my bg everyday, and thankfully im not blind or dead yet. Count your self lucky that you even know that you have a medical problem and work to fix it. Many havent got a clue that they have a problem till they wake up and can't see the alarm clock.

    - Jerk

  • May 26, 2010 3:28 p.m.

    i've given up!! i haven't taken my sugar meds for about 6 months. i have lost about 15 lbs, but my sugar has been around 300 when i have bothered to take it. stopped my blood pressure and cholesterol meds too.

    - pat

  • May 26, 2010 5:45 a.m.

    the reason your number was so high was because of the can of beans. Check the carbs listed on the can.

    - charles

  • May 25, 2010 2:18 p.m.

    I am a Type 1. Ate some hamburger spiced up meat one night this week with a can of beans in them. Will throw that away. The meat was 90% lean but my bg was almost 300 by morning. Had to have had fat in it to be so slow with the high bg.

    - Linda

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