Will Blood Sugars Rise Later In Morning Without Eating?
Keeping track of your blood sugar levels is not only important if you have diabetes, but it can also help you achieve a healthy weight, maintain good energy levels and prevent chronic diseases. You can easily obtain a blood glucose meter at your drugstore to check your blood sugar levels at different times throughout the day to see how your body reacts to the foods you eat. Your blood sugar levels can also change even when you go a few hours without eating. For example, skipping breakfast and not eating in the morning is likely to induce a rise in your blood sugar. Video of the Day Measuring your blood sugar levels occasionally before and after a meal is a good way to observe how your food choices influence your blood sugar levels. Carbohydrate is the nutrient that has the most impact over your blood sugar because both starches and sugars, which constitute the total carb content of a food, are broken down to glucose and, therefore, contribute to elevating your blood sugar after a meal. If you skip breakfast or go for a few hours without eating, you would probably expect your blood sugar levels to decrease, but it actually causes a blood sugar rise in most people. The dawn phenomenon corresponds to a normal effect that occurs in the early hours, while the secretion of many hormones occurs to prepare your body for the day ahead. Among the hormonal changes that accompany the dawn phenomenon is increased insulin resistance. If you are more insulin resistant in the morning, it means that your insulin is not as effective at keeping your blood sugar levels in check as it should be. The dawn phenomenon explains why many diabetics have higher blood sugar levels in the morning. Depending on the time you awake, you may see a rise in your blood sugar levels, even if you don't eat, Continue reading >>
Everyone Should Track Their Blood Sugar — Not Just People With Diabetes Like Me
This is a perspective from Cyrus Khambatta, a person with Type 1 Diabetes and the founder of Mangoman Nutrition and Fitness Continuous glucose monitoring, which uses tiny sensors under the skin to check blood sugar levels, is going to be a very big deal — and not just for people with diabetes. I have personal experience with monitoring my glucose levels, having been living with diabetes now for 12 years. The insights that I have gained from understanding my blood glucose patterns 24/7 have been transformative. I’ve learned how my body responds to various types of food, exercise, stress, viruses, altitude, dehydration and extreme temperatures. And with years of historic data, I can now predict how my blood glucose readings will be in the current moment. Here are the population groups that I believe can benefit most from continuous glucose monitoring, otherwise known as CGM. People With Diabetes and Prediabetes Continuous glucose monitoring was originally developed specifically for people with type 1 diabetes, in order to monitor their glucose levels at all times — not just periodically with a prick of a fingertip. This population is obviously the most in need, given that inadequate production of insulin results in highly variable blood sugar values. Continuous glucose monitors have proven to be extremely useful for this patient population. The technology has given both people with diabetes and their doctors an ability to fine-tune an insulin-dosing strategy to minimize blood sugar fluctuations. Some individuals with type 2 diabetes are given CGMs as well. On occasion, they are used only temporarily in order to gain some immediate insight into daily blood sugar fluctuations. Others use such continuous monitors in the long-term to support a blood glucose management p Continue reading >>
Blood Sugar Checker
Tweet Check your blood sugar level and see whether it's in the correct range according to NICE recommendations for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. How do I use the blood sugar checker? To use the blood sugar checker, simply: Enter your latest blood glucose reading Specify whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes Whether you've eaten in the last 2 hours (pre or post meal) Please note: this tool is not intended to be used by pregnant women. Recommended blood glucose levels have a degree of interpretation for every individual and you should discuss this with your healthcare team. Why is it important to have blood glucose levels in the right range? Our bodies are designed to operate at its best when our blood glucose levels are in a specific range. When blood glucose levels become too low If our blood glucose levels are too low, our ability to carry out mental and physical tasks becomes compromised. For people who take insulin or certain medication that can cause low blood sugar levels (such as sulfonylureas and prandial glucose regulators), it is particularly important to prevent blood glucose levels going too low and causing hypoglycemia. When blood glucose levels become too high If our blood glucose levels rise too high, this can have health implications in the short term and the long term. If our blood sugar levels are consistently too high, it increases the risk of suffering the long term complications of diabetes including: If blood glucose levels go very high, it can become dangerous in the short term. People with type 1 diabetes may be at risk of developing a serious condition called ketoacidosis if blood glucose levels stay above 14 mmol/l for too long. People with type 2 diabetes may be at risk of dangerous condition called Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Synd Continue reading >>
Understanding Diabetes
This information describes diabetes, the complications related to the disease, and how you can prevent these complications. Blood Sugar Control Diabetes is a disease where the blood sugar runs too high, usually due to not enough insulin. It can cause terrible long-term complications if it is not treated properly. The most common serious complications are blindness ("retinopathy"), kidney failure requiring dependence on a dialysis machine to stay alive ("nephropathy"), and foot and leg amputations. The good news is that these complications can almost always be prevented if you keep your blood sugar near the normal range. The best way to keep blood sugar low is to eat a healthy diet and do regular exercise. Just 20 minutes of walking 4 or 5 times a week can do wonders for lowering blood sugar. Eating a healthy diet is also very important. Do your best to limit the number of calories you eat each day. Put smaller portions of food on your plate and eat more slowly so that your body has a chance to let you know when it's had enough to eat. It is also very important to limit saturated fats in your diet. Read food labels carefully to see which foods are high in saturated fats. Particular foods to cut down on are: whole milk and 2% milk, cheese, ice cream, fast foods, butter, bacon, sausage, beef, chicken with the skin on (skinless chicken is fine), doughnuts, cookies, chocolate, and nuts. Often, diet and exercise alone are not enough to control blood sugar. In this case, medicine is needed to bring the blood sugar down further. Often pills are enough, but sometimes insulin injections are needed. If medicines to lower blood sugar are started, it is still very important to keep doing regular exercise and eating a healthy diet. Keeping Track of Blood Sugar Checking blood sugar wi Continue reading >>
Should I Check My Blood Sugar After An Insulin Injection?
When you test relative to your insulin injection depends on what kind of insulin you are taking and what information you are seeking. In most cases we divide insulin into long-acting or “basal” insulin and short-acting or “bolus” insulin. The two used in combination in a manner meant to replace insulin production in someone who makes little or no insulin (all type 1 diabetes and some people with later-stage type 2) is often called “basal-bolus” therapy. Testing will let you know whether you are taking the right amount of insulin. In most cases, one will test the fasting blood sugar to know if the long-acting or basal insulin dose is correct. If the fasting sugar is too high or too low, the long-acting insulin will need to be increased or reduced. Short-acting or bolus insulin is usually given before eating. It is important to test both before and about 2 hours after eating. This will let you know that you’ve given the right amount of insulin. If the insulin is properly matched to the food you’ve eaten then there will be only a relatively small rise in your blood sugar level with the meal -- let’s say 40 to 60 points. A lot less and you have likely given too much, because the glucose will likely continue to fall over the next couple of hours and may go much lower than desired; a lot more and you haven’t given enough insulin. As I so in response to almost all of these kinds of questions, individual numbers are rarely the major concern. The point is to understand your patterns and to make adjustments as needed so that you are constantly striving for better blood sugar control. Check your blood sugar 1.5 hours after bolusing. Testing after administering short-acting insulin tells you if you took the right amount of insulin and gives you a chance to corre Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes Faqs
Common questions about type 2 diabetes: How do you treat type 2 diabetes? When you have type 2 diabetes, you first need to eat a healthy diet, stay physically active and lose any extra weight. If these lifestyle changes cannot control your blood sugar, you also may need to take pills and other injected medication, including insulin. Eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and losing any extra weight is the first line of therapy. “Diet and exercise“ is the foundation of all diabetes management because it makes your body’s cells respond better to insulin (in other words, it decreases insulin resistance) and lowers blood sugar levels. If you cannot normalize or control the blood sugars with diet, weight loss and exercise, the next treatment phase is taking medicine either orally or by injection. Diabetes pills work in different ways – some lower insulin resistance, others slow the digestion of food or increase insulin levels in the blood stream. The non-insulin injected medications for type 2 diabetes have a complicated action but basically lower blood glucose after eating. Insulin therapy simply increases insulin in the circulation. Don’t be surprised if you have to use multiple medications to control the blood sugar. Multiple medications, also known as combination therapy is common in the treatment of diabetes! If one medication is not enough, you medical provider may give you two or three or more different types of pills. Insulin or other injected medications also may be prescribed. Or, depending on your medical condition, you may be treated only with insulin or injected medication therapy. Many people with type 2 diabetes have elevated blood fats (high triglycerides and cholesterol) and blood pressure, so you may be given medications for these problem Continue reading >>
Self-monitoring Of Blood Glucose
What is “self-monitoring of blood glucose”? Self-monitoring of blood glucose means using a home glucose meter to check and track your own blood sugar levels. Being able to check your blood sugar levels on a day-to-day basis can greatly improve your diabetes control. Today’s meters can measure your blood sugar quickly and easily. What meter should I choose? There are more than 20 different meters that vary in size, shape, test time, and memory features. You can choose based on your own preferences and needs. Your health care provider can recommend specific features you might want to look for. Most meters now require only a very small amount of blood. This means that testing is less painful than in the past and that some meters can now use blood from your forearm or thigh instead of your fingertip. Should everyone with diabetes check their blood sugar? The American Diabetes Association recommends that all people with diabetes who are treated with insulin check their blood sugar. For people whose diabetes is not treated with insulin, checking blood sugar is still very helpful in deciding which and how much medicine you may need. How often should I check my blood sugar? How often you need to check your blood sugar depends on your own situation. Most experts agree that patients who use insulin should check at least four times a day, usually before meals and at bedtime. For patients who do not use insulin, how often to check depends on how well your diabetes is controlled. If your blood sugar is very well controlled, you may only need to check once in a while. If your blood sugar is not in your target range, checking more often can provide information about how to get your diabetes under better control. Your health care provider can recommend a schedule for you. How do Continue reading >>
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- Exercise and Blood Glucose Levels
Diabetes: Testing Your Blood Glucose
Blood Glucose Meters To help control your diabetes, you need to check your blood glucose level. The best way is with a blood glucose meter. These devices are small machines that work like a computer. Your blood glucose level shows as a number on a screen, like on a pocket calculator. Many types of meters are available on the market. Your diabetes educator can help you choose the best meter for you. Check with your insurance company to learn which models your plan covers. When to Test Your Blood Glucose You need to test your blood glucose at different times of the day. It’s helpful to check your blood glucose level each morning as soon as you wake up, before you eat or take your medicine. It is also helpful to check your blood glucose before each meal and at bedtime. Once in a while, you should check your blood glucose 1 to 2 hours after a meal. Many people with diabetes test their blood glucose 2 to 4 times a day before meals. When you start or change an exercise program, you should test your blood glucose levels. Exercise can help to lower your blood glucose. Check your blood glucose before you exercise and about 1 hour after. You should also test when you feel the symptoms of low blood glucose. Test more often when you are sick. See the UPMC Patient Education page Diabetes: Short-Term Problems. Ask your doctor or diabetes educator to help you decide on the test schedule that’s best for you. Keeping a Record A record of blood glucose levels is very important. Write down your blood glucose level each time you test. Write down the date, time, and what you do before or after the test. Be sure to note changes in your routine. This record will show you and your doctor how food, medicines, and exercise affect your blood glucose levels. Recommended Goals It has been shown Continue reading >>
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7 Ways To Make Blood-sugar Testing Less Painful
No more sore fingers You need to prick your finger to obtain a drop of blood for home blood-glucose monitoring. Does it hurt? Some people say yes, but they've gotten used to it. Others say they find it virtually painless. Only you can decide. But here are 7 tried-and-true methods for making it less painful. Find out what works for you When Nancy Chiller Janow, age 54, was first diagnosed with type 2, her endocrinologist "punctured me so hard in the middle of the finger pad, that I never wanted to test again," she says. "It really hurt." Janow's internist recommended she experiment to find a more comfortable spot. "I did and finally found that testing on the side of the pad, close to the nail, is the most comfortable," she says. "I often use my thumb. Maybe because that's more callused, it's more comfortable and doesn't hurt when I stick it." Avoid pricking the finger’s tip This part of the finger is especially sensitive and can be more painful than other parts of your finger. Aim for the side of your finger. Fingertips are a poor choice because they tend to have more nerve endings, says Nadine Uplinger, director of the Gutman Diabetes Institute at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia. "We teach people to monitor on the sides of their fingers, not down by the knuckle but up by the nail bed on the fleshy part and not on the tips," she says. "Another thing to do is pinch or put pressure on where you're going to test to seal it and that seems to minimize pain." Continue reading >>
The Importance Of Checking Blood Sugar Levels
Besides helping to keep blood sugar levels (also known as blood glucose levels) under control, checking them according to the diabetes management plan will help you and your child: feel more aware and in control of what is happening with your child's diabetes prevent short-term diabetes symptoms and future health problems troubleshoot problems and make adjustments to the diabetes management plan more promptly and effectively manage sick days gain a better understanding of the impact of food, exercise, and medications on the blood sugar levels When and How Often How often you should test your child's blood sugar levels each day — and when — will depend on a number of things and can even change from day to day. In general, most kids with diabetes test their blood sugar levels before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and at bedtime. They may need to check more often when they're sick or if there are changes in their diabetes treatment or daily habits. They may also need to check more often if they use an insulin pump or another management plan that aims for very close control of blood sugar levels. The diabetes health care team can advise you on how often and when to check. Sometimes parents need to check their child's blood sugar levels in the middle of the night. For example, kids having problems with hypoglycemia episodes may need middle-of-the-night tests. And those who've just been diagnosed with diabetes may need more frequent tests while they and their families are learning how insulin or other diabetes medicines affect blood sugar levels. Continue reading >>
Managing Your Blood Sugar
Know the basic steps for managing your diabetes. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to many health problems. Know how to: Monitor your blood sugar (glucose) Find, buy, and store diabetes supplies If you take insulin, you should also know how to: Give yourself insulin Adjust your insulin doses and the foods you eat to manage your blood sugar during exercise and on sick days You should also live a healthy lifestyle. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Do muscle strengthening exercises 2 or more days a week. Avoid sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time. Try speed walking, swimming, or dancing. Pick an activity you enjoy. Always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise plans. Follow your meal plan. Take your medicines the way your health care provider recommends. Checking your blood sugar levels often and writing down the results will tell you how well you are managing your diabetes. Talk to your doctor and diabetes educator about how often you should check your blood sugar. Not everyone with diabetes needs to check their blood sugar every day. But some people may need to check it many times a day. If you have type 1 diabetes, check your blood sugar at least 4 times a day. Usually, you will test your blood sugar before meals and at bedtime. You may also check your blood sugar: After you eat out, especially if you have eaten foods you don't normally eat If you feel sick Before and after you exercise If you have a lot of stress If you eat too much If you are taking new medicines Keep a record for yourself and your provider. This will be a big help if you are having problems managing your diabetes. It will also tell you what works and what doesn't work, to keep your blood sugar under control. Write down: The time of day Your blood sugar level Th Continue reading >>
Blood Glucose Monitoring
One of the main aims of diabetes treatment is to keep blood glucose levels within a specified target range. The key is balancing your food with your activity, lifestyle and diabetes medicines. Blood glucose monitoring can help you understand the link between blood glucose, food, exercise and insulin. Over time your readings will provide you and your health professionals with the information required to determine the best management strategy for your diabetes. Maintaining good blood glucose control is your best defence to reduce the chances of developing complications from diabetes. Self-blood glucose monitoring allows you to check your blood glucose levels as often as you need to or as recommended by your doctor or Credentialled Diabetes Educator. To test blood glucose levels, you need: A blood glucose meter A lancet device with lancets Test strips. Blood glucose meters are usually sold as kits giving you all the equipment you need to start. There are many different types, offering different features and at different prices to meet individual needs. Most of these are available from Diabetes Australia in your state or territory, pharmacies and some diabetes centres. Your doctor or Credentialled Diabetes Educator can help you choose the meter that’s best for you, and your Credentialled Diabetes Educator or pharmacist can show you how to use your meter to get accurate results. To test your blood glucose levels, you prick your finger with the lancet and add a small drop of blood onto a testing strip. This strip is then inserted into the meter, which reads the strip and displays a number – your blood glucose level. When and how often you should test your blood glucose levels varies depending on each individual, the type of diabetes and the tablets and/or insulin being us Continue reading >>
Blood Sugar Tests
A test that measures blood sugar levels. Elevated levels are associated with diabetes and insulin resistance, in which the body cannot properly handle sugar (e.g. obesity). Goal values: Less than 100 mg/dL = normal Between 110–125 mg/dL = impaired fasting glucose (i.e., prediabetes) Greater than 126 mg/dL on two or more samples = diabetes Preparation This test requires a 12-hour fast. You should wait to eat and/or take a hypoglycemic agent (insulin or oral medication) until after test has been drawn, unless told otherwise. Eating and digesting foods called carbohydrates forms glucose (blood sugar). Glucose is needed by your body to provide energy to carry out your normal activities. Insulin is needed by the body to allow glucose to go into the cells and be used as energy. Without insulin, the levels of glucose in the blood will rise. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when either the pancreas (an organ in your body) is not able to produce insulin or the pancreas makes insulin, but it does not work as it should. Fasting blood sugar is a part of diabetic evaluation and management. An FBS greater than 126 mg/dL on more than one occasion usually indicates diabetes. Glycosylated Hemoglobin or Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) Reflects average blood sugar levels over the preceding 90-day period. Elevated levels are associated with prediabetes and diabetes. Individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of a cardiac event. A diabetic person's risk for heart attack is the same as a non-diabetic person, who has experienced one heart attack, having a second heart attack. Aggressive global preventive risk reduction efforts, such as lower LDL targets, diet, exercise and blood pressure control, are recommended. Goal values (per American Diabetes Association guidelines): A range of 5.7-6.4 p Continue reading >>
Why Is My Blood Glucose Sometimes Low After Physical Activity?
Low blood glucose is defined as a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dl if your meter measures whole blood, or 80 mg/dl or below if it measures plasma glucose (a plasma blood glucose of 90 mg/dl or below with symptoms is also a sign of hypoglycemia). One of the most common causes of low blood glucose is too much physical activity. In fact, moderate to intense exercise may cause your blood glucose to drop for the next 24 hours following exercise. This post-exercise hypoglycemia is often referred to as the "lag effect" of exercise. Basically, when you exercise, the body uses two sources of fuel, sugar and free fatty acids (that is, fat) to generate energy. The sugar comes from the blood, the liver and the muscles. The sugar is stored in the liver and muscle in a form called glycogen. During the first 15 minutes of exercise, most of the sugar for fuel comes from either the blood stream or the muscle glycogen, which is converted back to sugar. After 15 minutes of exercise, however, the fuel starts to come more from the glycogen stored in the liver. After 30 minutes of exercise, the body begins to get more of its energy from the free fatty acids. As a result, exercise can deplete sugar levels and glycogen stores. The body will replace these glycogen stores but this process may take 4 to 6 hours, even 12 to 24 hours with more intense activity. During this rebuilding of glycogen stores, a person with diabetes can be at higher risk for hypoglycemia. Here are tips for safe exercising. Guidelines for preventing exercise related hypoglycemia Check your blood glucose before exercising to make sure your blood glucose is sufficient and/or consume an appropriate snack. Avoid exercise at the peak of your insulin action. Avoid late evening exercise. Exercise should be completed 2 hours bef Continue reading >>
Why Is Blood Sugar High In The Morning?
Here you'll find info about why blood sugar is high in the morning, along with tips and resources to lower those numbers! A while back I had a client sending me her blood sugar charts every few days and on those charts she always made some notes if she had questions. Every time she sent them through, I noticed she had 3 big question marks (???) against her morning blood sugar results. And on another morning when her morning blood sugar levels were high at 160 mg/dl (or 8.9 mmol/l). She had written: I don't understand. 97 mg/dl (or 5.5mmol/l) last night when I went to sleep. I didn't eat anything because I didn't feel well. Humm… I was also over in one of the online diabetes groups I'm involved in today and this message popped up. I'm struggling with my morning BS number. When I went to bed around 11PM my BS was 107. I'm waking up with my BS between 120 – 135. I did put two pieces of string cheese next to my bed and when I woke up around 3am, I ate one. Since I was told to eat protein at night. When I woke up 3 hours later my BS was 130. I didn't want to eat anything large since it's so close to 140 (my goal is to keep it below 140). So I had 1 piece of toast (sugar free wheat bread) and just a tiny bit of peanut butter. I checked it an hour later and it was 161! What am I doing wrong? Do these morning situations sound familiar to you? Are you constantly questioning: Why is blood sugar high in the morning? I mean, logically we'd think that it should be at it's lowest in the morning right? Well don't panic, there is a reason for it, so let's explore why morning blood sugar is often higher. And at the end, I'll also point you toward some resources to help you lower those levels. Why Is Blood Sugar High In The Morning? Although it would seem logical that your body would Continue reading >>
