Shirley Bullock's Blog - Posts Tagged "blood-sugar"
Tools of the Trade
Tools of the trade
Hi this is Geri. I hoped you enjoyed the little history lesson on diabetes. I want to be as easy to understand as possible. Many people have pre-diabetes for years before they are formally diagnosed.
If your doctor says you have pre-diabetes; with life-style changes many can avoid the disease all together.
If you have the symptoms of increased thirst, appetite, weight gain or loss, and vision changes the first thing to do is make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Depending on the doctor and your insurance he or she might take over your diabetes care or send you to a specialist called an ‘Endocrinologist’. Please go to your first visit ‘fasting, i.e. no food or drink since midnight. The doctor will want to do some lab tests, including a fasting blood sugar, an A1C (this test will tell how high your blood glucose has been for the past three months) and some kidney function tests.
If you have access to a computer, read a little on diabetes and write down your questions. Don’t rely on memory.
During the visit, if you are tested positive, the doctor will ensure you have an accu check machine or a blood glucose monitor. This machine will become your life line, ensuring how well you will be able to keep your diabetes under control.
Today’s blood glucose machine is not a ball and chain; many are very small, fitting into sports pockets and purses. Various machines allow you to take blood from other areas of your body avoiding sore fingertips. They are highly affordable enabling you to keep one with you and one at bedside.
The kit usually contains, blood check strips, monitor, and a finger pricking device. There will usually be a pocket in the back for a log to write down your results.
Most all insurances will pay for a monitor including Medicare. If you are uninsured, many pharmaceutical companies offer machines free of charge if you use their strips and finger sticks.
Read the directions thoroughly. Play with the machine enabling you to use it with ease.
See you all next week for other aspects of diabetes care.
‘
Hi this is Geri. I hoped you enjoyed the little history lesson on diabetes. I want to be as easy to understand as possible. Many people have pre-diabetes for years before they are formally diagnosed.
If your doctor says you have pre-diabetes; with life-style changes many can avoid the disease all together.
If you have the symptoms of increased thirst, appetite, weight gain or loss, and vision changes the first thing to do is make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Depending on the doctor and your insurance he or she might take over your diabetes care or send you to a specialist called an ‘Endocrinologist’. Please go to your first visit ‘fasting, i.e. no food or drink since midnight. The doctor will want to do some lab tests, including a fasting blood sugar, an A1C (this test will tell how high your blood glucose has been for the past three months) and some kidney function tests.
If you have access to a computer, read a little on diabetes and write down your questions. Don’t rely on memory.
During the visit, if you are tested positive, the doctor will ensure you have an accu check machine or a blood glucose monitor. This machine will become your life line, ensuring how well you will be able to keep your diabetes under control.
Today’s blood glucose machine is not a ball and chain; many are very small, fitting into sports pockets and purses. Various machines allow you to take blood from other areas of your body avoiding sore fingertips. They are highly affordable enabling you to keep one with you and one at bedside.
The kit usually contains, blood check strips, monitor, and a finger pricking device. There will usually be a pocket in the back for a log to write down your results.
Most all insurances will pay for a monitor including Medicare. If you are uninsured, many pharmaceutical companies offer machines free of charge if you use their strips and finger sticks.
Read the directions thoroughly. Play with the machine enabling you to use it with ease.
See you all next week for other aspects of diabetes care.
‘
Diabetes and sick days
Help! I am diabetic and I’m Sick!
When you are sick with a cold, flu or infection your blood sugar can go higher than your normal. It is important to have a sick plan in place before you are sick. This is one of the things you need to talk over with your physician.
Call your health care provider if you: have two blood sugars in a row over 300mg/dl or several low blood sugars in a row. Lose five pounds or more when you are sick. Have vomiting or diarrhea for more than six hours, can’t eat solid foods for more than 24 hours, and can’t keep liquids down, feel dizzy, confused or in pain.
Never stop taking your diabetes pills or insulin without talking to your health care provider, check your blood sugar at least every four hours when you are sick, and drink water to prevent dehydration.
Try your upmost to eat regular meals. If you can’t here are some foods you can utilize to keep your carbohydrate intake about the same: ½ cup pudding, 4-6 crackers, ½ cup regular gelatin, or ½ cup juice.
Remember your accu check machine is your best friend. If at all possible keep one with you and have another at your bedside. I hate being sick. Please take care of yourself, Geri.
When you are sick with a cold, flu or infection your blood sugar can go higher than your normal. It is important to have a sick plan in place before you are sick. This is one of the things you need to talk over with your physician.
Call your health care provider if you: have two blood sugars in a row over 300mg/dl or several low blood sugars in a row. Lose five pounds or more when you are sick. Have vomiting or diarrhea for more than six hours, can’t eat solid foods for more than 24 hours, and can’t keep liquids down, feel dizzy, confused or in pain.
Never stop taking your diabetes pills or insulin without talking to your health care provider, check your blood sugar at least every four hours when you are sick, and drink water to prevent dehydration.
Try your upmost to eat regular meals. If you can’t here are some foods you can utilize to keep your carbohydrate intake about the same: ½ cup pudding, 4-6 crackers, ½ cup regular gelatin, or ½ cup juice.
Remember your accu check machine is your best friend. If at all possible keep one with you and have another at your bedside. I hate being sick. Please take care of yourself, Geri.
