Diabetes Management Part 1

Proper diabetes management is critical in preventing serious long-term complications arising from high blood sugar. Unmanaged (or poorly managed) diabetes can lead to medical complications as serious as blindness, emergency amputations, or permanent damage to internal organs. Obviously, diabetes management is something every diabetic must take very seriously.

The cornerstone of diabetes management is keeping your blood sugar as regular, and within healthy levels, as possible. All of the other effects of diabetes stem from the effects of high blood sugar. Luckily, today’s diabetic has a wide variety of home equipment available for regularly monitoring blood sugar levels. By keeping close track of your blood sugar throughout the day, you can learn your ‘normal’ responses to your medications, different foods and eating schedules, track the effects of a regular exercise program, and discuss these patterns with your doctor, to adapt the management of your diabetes even more effectively.

The basis of blood sugar management is usually a combination of medication and diet. Type I diabetics must take insulin because their body does not produce it properly. Management of Type I diabetes needs to be very precise, so the diabetic’s need for insulin matches the dose they are taking, preventing both high blood sugar and dangerous drops in blood sugar as well (hypoglycemia).

In Type II diabetes the body gradually becomes resistant to insulin over a span of many years. Although insulin is still produced, the body cannot use it effectively. Type II diabetics may take pills to help their body become more receptive to insulin.