Diabetes is a very complicated disease and the main cause that contributes to most of the complications include the increased levels of blood glucose in the patient’s body. As a result, blood sugar monitoring forms a very and perhaps the most important part of diabetes care. In this article, we shall explore more about the importance of blood glucose monitoring in diabetes. So, come and join in for the article “Monitoring Blood Glucose Level: How it Can Help You to Manage Diabetes?”

Why Should You Monitor Your Blood Glucose Levels?

As we know, diabetes is known to elevate the levels of glucose in the blood which gives rise to several unwanted complications. Hence, blood sugar monitoring is an important way of dealing with the same:

• Blood sugar monitoring forms the most important part of managing diabetes. When you manage it, you are in a better position to deal and even avoid the complications that are associated with diabetes.
• Eating a proper and balanced meal, regular physical exercise all form a very important part of diabetes management. However, not everything affects the different individuals in a similar fashion. Thus, in order to understand how a particular food or a particular form of exercise is affecting you, it is important to monitor blood glucose levels
• When you monitor blood glucose regularly, you will be in a better position to detect when you are more susceptible to getting affected by either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. You can thereby take the necessary steps and avoid all unwanted complications
• Similarly, when you are monitoring the glucose, you are in a better position to discuss with your medical expert as to when there should be changes in your medical routine, lifestyle habits, etc. whenever required.
• Blood monitoring also goes a long way in providing vital information during times of illness, which can further help your medical experts take important decisions with respect to your medical and dietary regimen.

When Is the Best Time to Check the Blood Glucose Level?

The time when you should check your sugar levels is better suggested by your medical expert. However, there are certain times during the day which are considered vital when it comes to the level of blood glucose:

• Just before eating breakfast, and any other meal
• Before getting into the bed
• Before and after physical exercise
• When you start feeling ill
• A couple of hours after you have eaten a meal

How to Monitor the Level of Blood Glucose?

In order to monitor the level of blood glucose, you would need a blood glucose meter as well as test strips which essentially will support your blood glucose meter. You can take sample blood from either your fingertips, palm, forearm, upper arm, thigh, calf, etc. Now, these glucose meters will measure the amount of glucose in your blood and the results will appear on the meter within a time span of about five to fifteen minutes. These meters can generally store around 50 to 3,000 results in the meter. You should note down all the readings that you see as keeping a track will guide you and show the fluctuations in the blood glucose level as well. This will go a long way in helping you to manage diabetes effectively.

What Should be the Target of Your Blood Glucose?

When you are into monitoring of the blood glucose levels, it is imperative that you be absolutely aware as to what is the level of blood glucose that you are aiming at.

The following should be the blood glucose level targets for diabetic adults:

• As per the American Diabetes Association, for type 1 diabetes patients: The pre-meal blood glucose level should be around 4-6 millimoles per liter of blood, while the level of blood a couple of hours after the meal should be around 4-8 millimoles per liter of blood.
• As per the NHMRC, for type 2 diabetes patients: The pre-meal blood glucose level should be around 6-8 millimoles per liter of blood, while the level of blood a couple of hours after the meal should be around 6-10 millimoles per liter of blood.

Having said that, there are a few times when the blood glucose levels may not be the same as that stated above. Following are those instances:

• Alcohol intake
• A few diabetes medications
• Sickness
• Physical activity
• Too much of emotional stress
• The amount of carbohydrates that you have taken during a meal

When you face such situations, you need to consult your doctor to ensure that everything is fine with your health.

Also remember that apart from the blood glucose levels, you need to keep a watch on the HbA1c levels too. The recommended target level for the same is around 48-53 mmol/mol for most of the patients. However, the target may vary depending on age, type of condition, etc. and hence, an expert advice is highly recommended.

Tips To Keep Your Blood Sugar Level Within the Recommended Levels:

The following simple guidelines will help you to maintain your blood glucose levels within your target limits:

• Be consistent with your eating habits and do not skip meals. Eat in smaller proportions more frequently.
• There are various sources of carbohydrates that you can eat. Just ensure to limit yourself within the recommended range.
• Be regular in the physical activity that you do
• Always consult your doctor and take medicines regularly as prescribed
• Whenever you want to include something new in your diet, do take prior advice from your doctor.
• Keep yourself hydrated at all times

We hope that the above post has been helpful in improving your understanding as to how monitoring the blood glucose levels play a very important part in managing diabetes effectively. The article also highlights the target level of blood glucose level as well as ways of achieving the same!