Diabetic Log and Why You Should Keep One!
I will start by exploding a common myth or misconception I have heard from several type 1 or insulin dependent diabetics that states I can tell what my blood sugar is by how I feel.
I thought this myself for many years and hence never checked my blood sugar levels! It was not until my annual health screens started to worsen that I actually monitored my sugar on any level and I was very surprised at my readings.
There were times when I thought I was right on the money only to actually find out I was extremely high or on other occasions, much lower than I thought.
I also had very stable doses that I was giving myself which were pretty much the same dose for each meal and another standard dose before bed.
It was not til I started recording my sugar a minimum of 4 times a day and seeing the impact of my standard dose on my levels which depended on so many factors such as exercise, diet and general health just to name a few.
To ensure great control and also to tremendously assist in making modifications to insulin doses, what foods work well for you and what don't and additionally, the effect exercise or hard work has on you, you MUST measure (and record) your blood sugar at least 4 times a day.
At times when you are ill, physically exerting yourself, trialling or taking new medicines or simply on a comprehensive testing program to gauge where you are at, do not think testing your blood sugar even as much as 8 times a day is excessive.
As with all research, the more data you have, the better informed you are and in turn the better results you can expect.
Taking and strictly recording a 4 week block of 4 readings a day before each main meal in conjunction with a food diary, exercise diary and insulin injection details will give you a fantastic snapshot of how well your diabetes is controlled.
Taking this information package with you to a doctor, dietician or diabetes specialist or educator will not only knock their socks off at your dedication and self care but more importantly, give them all the information they need to fully analyse your condition and give you the best recommendations of what you should do next and what changes would be beneficial to you.
At the end of the day, pin pricking your fingers 3 or 4 times a day can be painful, annoying and at times, tedious however like anything repeated, it will become a habit and if you stick with it, before long your sub-conscious will have you reaching for the testing kit before you take your first mouthful of your meal every time.
The benefits you will achieve however such as feeling great, having more energy and a longer life without diabetic complications or symptoms far outweigh the maintenance you must undergo.
For one reason or another, you have been given this condition.
Control it and Diabetes is actually a blue print for a healthy life we all should follow!
I thought this myself for many years and hence never checked my blood sugar levels! It was not until my annual health screens started to worsen that I actually monitored my sugar on any level and I was very surprised at my readings.
There were times when I thought I was right on the money only to actually find out I was extremely high or on other occasions, much lower than I thought.
I also had very stable doses that I was giving myself which were pretty much the same dose for each meal and another standard dose before bed.
It was not til I started recording my sugar a minimum of 4 times a day and seeing the impact of my standard dose on my levels which depended on so many factors such as exercise, diet and general health just to name a few.
To ensure great control and also to tremendously assist in making modifications to insulin doses, what foods work well for you and what don't and additionally, the effect exercise or hard work has on you, you MUST measure (and record) your blood sugar at least 4 times a day.
At times when you are ill, physically exerting yourself, trialling or taking new medicines or simply on a comprehensive testing program to gauge where you are at, do not think testing your blood sugar even as much as 8 times a day is excessive.
As with all research, the more data you have, the better informed you are and in turn the better results you can expect.
Taking and strictly recording a 4 week block of 4 readings a day before each main meal in conjunction with a food diary, exercise diary and insulin injection details will give you a fantastic snapshot of how well your diabetes is controlled.
Taking this information package with you to a doctor, dietician or diabetes specialist or educator will not only knock their socks off at your dedication and self care but more importantly, give them all the information they need to fully analyse your condition and give you the best recommendations of what you should do next and what changes would be beneficial to you.
At the end of the day, pin pricking your fingers 3 or 4 times a day can be painful, annoying and at times, tedious however like anything repeated, it will become a habit and if you stick with it, before long your sub-conscious will have you reaching for the testing kit before you take your first mouthful of your meal every time.
The benefits you will achieve however such as feeling great, having more energy and a longer life without diabetic complications or symptoms far outweigh the maintenance you must undergo.
For one reason or another, you have been given this condition.
Control it and Diabetes is actually a blue print for a healthy life we all should follow!
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