Diabetic Blood Glucose Monitoring
Diabetic blood glucoase monitoring is the most important part of the treatement regimen for any diabetic.
The most important part of any diabetes symptom management is monitoring blood glucose levels. There are three main ways that blood glucose can be monitored.
1. Fasting Blood Glucose:
Fasting blood glucose or fasting blood sugar is taken after an eight hour fast and measures the level of glucose on the blood at that time. Depending on the lab conducting the test the normal value of this test should be between 70 to 110 mg/dl. If the diabetes is uncontrolled these fasting blood glucose levels are much higher then normal.
2. Glycosylated hemoglobin:
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) is produced through a process that is irreversible. Hemoglobin combines with glucose as the red blood cells circulate through the blood stream and forms glycohemoglobin. Depending on the amount of glucose in the blood stream a certain amount of glycohemoglobin is formed during the red blood cells 120 day life span. Because of this the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin is a good measure of the average amount of blood glucose level over that 100 to 120 day time span before the test. The more glucose in the blood stream the greater the end value. Short term factors such as food, exercise and stress will not affect this value making it easy to take a blood sample at any time and is much easier then scheduling a fasting blood glucose test.
3. Self-monitoring.
This type of blood glucose test can be done in the diabetics own home with a glucometer or blood glucose meter, which is available for purchase at any pharmacy. This device is used to monitor blood glucose levels at any time but in particular before and after eating and before bedtime. The glucometer is used with a drop of blood obtained through a finger prick to measure blood glucose levels at specified times during the day. By self monitoring the diabetic can chart their glucose level which is important to maintain glycemic control. Through this method the affects of their meal plan, exercise program and other factors can be evaluated to see if the goal of their medical nutrition therapy is being met.
These charts generated from the self monitoring should be reviewed by the diabetic’s health care team to make determinations about their food intake, insulin requirements and exercise plan. This allows their doctors and nutritionists to individualize the care plan to the particular diabetic’s needs. This makes the older method of offering general diet plans and tear-off diet sheets a thing of the past.
The type of diabetes and treatment that is prescribed will determine the number of times the diabetic will need to test their blood glucose levels. Some may even need to monitor up to ten times a day, before and after each meal and again at bed time.
Diabetic blood glucose monitoring is the lifeline that allows all diabetics to control their disease and live a normal life.
To learn more about diabetic blood glucose monitoring please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here.
Foods with a low GI raise blood sugar levels slowly, providing a steady stream of energy. Take a look at this Glycemic Index chart. You will probably recognize most of the low glycemic foods as healthy and the high glycemic foods as unhealthy.
Chart Knowing Your Blood Sugar Numbers If you are a diabetic then you should know that that the most critical thing you have to do to maintain health and well-being throughout your life is to control the level of your blood sugar.
Diabetes Nutrition: 8 Step Guide to Counting Carbs for Better Glucose Levels
Because carbohydrates raise blood sugar, managing your carbs is key to managing your diabetes. One way to do it is through carbohydrate counting. Knowing how many carbs you can have throughout the day—and following those guidelines … The chart below assumes you need 50 percent of your calories from carbs. (Work with a registered dietitian to determine the best carb targets for you.
How do you control your diabetes? - by the Diabetes Expert
We’re all different that way. For instance, I find I can eat half a potato and it doesn’t raise my blood sugar too much, but the same amount of rice will blow me off the chart. Monitoring blood sugar is important.
Using a Diabetes Blood Sugar Chart is the Best Way to Monitor Your Blood Sugar
If you are a diabetic (or at risk for diabetes), it is recommended that you keep close tabs on your blood sugar levels. For that reason, I highly recommend that you look at this Diabetes Blood Sugar Chart.
| By Andrew Bicknell Published: 3/24/2007 |
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February 25th, 2009 at 11:49 am
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