Life Without Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes glucose, a type of sugar that is the main source of energy for your cells. When you have diabetes, your body either does not produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or cannot use insulin properly (Type 2 diabetes), which can lead to high blood sugar levels.

Managing blood sugar levels is a critical part of diabetes care, as high blood sugar levels can cause damage to your blood vessels, nerves, and organs over time. To keep blood sugar levels in check, people with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels regularly and take medications or insulin as prescribed by their healthcare provider.

Eating a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress are also important strategies for managing blood sugar levels with diabetes. Additionally, it's crucial to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a diabetes management plan that works best for you.

When a diabetic's blood sugar is low (below 70 mg/dL), it's important to act quickly to bring their blood sugar levels back up to a safe range. Here are the steps you can take:

Provide quick-acting carbohydrates: Give the person a fast-acting source of glucose, such as glucose tablets, juice, regular soda, candy, or honey. Avoid giving them sugar-free or diet products, as they may not contain enough sugar to raise blood sugar levels quickly.

Wait 15 minutes: After giving the quick-acting carbohydrates, wait for 15 minutes to see if their blood sugar levels start to rise. Make sure they rest and avoid any physical activity during this time.

Check their blood sugar again: After 15 minutes, check their blood sugar levels again. If their blood sugar levels are still low (below 70 mg/dL), repeat step 1 and wait another 15 minutes.

Seek medical attention if necessary: If the person is unconscious, having a seizure, or unable to swallow, call emergency services immediately. Additionally, if their blood sugar levels remain low after several attempts, or if they experience symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, or slurred speech, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

It's important to note that prevention is key in managing low blood sugar levels with diabetes. People with diabetes should aim to eat regular meals and snacks, monitor their blood sugar levels regularly, and adjust their medications or insulin doses as needed in consultation with their healthcare provider.

Easy way to control blood sugar levels here

Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. If left untreated, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition that can cause damage to organs and tissues in the body.

The length of time a person can be in the prediabetes blood sugar range without causing damage to organs can vary depending on a number of factors, including age, genetics, lifestyle factors, and overall health.

However, research suggests that even short periods of time in the prediabetes range can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and related health complications, such as heart disease and nerve damage. In fact, one study found that people with prediabetes had a higher risk of heart disease and stroke than those with normal blood sugar levels, even after adjusting for other risk factors.

Therefore, it's important to take steps to manage prediabetes as soon as possible. This may include making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and losing weight if necessary. Additionally, some people may benefit from medications to help lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing diabetes. It's important to work with a healthcare provider to develop a personalized plan for managing prediabetes.