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What is Diabetes?

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Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other foods into glucose. Glucose is the energy source needed for the body to survive and thrive.

When people have type 1 diabetes their body does not produce insulin. This is the type of diabetes that is usually diagnosed in the childhood years of life but also can occur later in life as well.

Type 2 diabetes is sometimes referred to as adult onset diabetes. In this type of diabetes the body may produce insulin, but does not use it properly. In some cases, the body stops producing enough insulin to adequately regulate glucose.

There are many ways to test for diabetes and a second test is usually done to confirm the condition. Some of the common tests are:

Risk Criteria

Risk Categories based on glucose readings
High Risk > 215
Medium Risk 214 - 115
Low Risk 114 - 70
Risk Categories based on HbA1C
High Risk > 9
Medium Risk 7 - 9
Low Risk < 7

How is Blood Sugar Measured?

Testing your blood sugar levels—through a drop of blood attained from a finger prick and placed on a glucose reader—is the most common way to determine the control you have over your blood sugar levels.

Keeping a log of your blood sugars is very helpful in determining overall control and can also help to identify foods and behaviors that affect your blood sugars.

What Can Cause Blood Sugar Levels to Increase?

What Can Cause Blood Sugar Levels to Decrease?

Top 10 Tips to Manage Diabetes

These helpful tips are focused on lifestyle behaviors that can help get blood sugar under control. Medical management is necessary under some circumstances, so be sure to check with your physician to communicate fully what you're doing.

1. Take your time with your food. A slower rate of digestion will produce a more moderated rate of sugar absorption. This can help prevent the overproduction of insulin which can lead to hypoglycemia in the time between meals. Tasting each bite of your food also increases the satiety you experience with that food, thereby helping you control portions.

2. Avoid the sugar-free and fat-free foods as they are loaded up with additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients that are harmful to your health. If you are having a dessert, control sugar intake by controlling portions.

3. Beans, fruits, breads, pastas, grains, and starchy vegetables are mostly made up of carbohydrates. These foods also have fiber in them that help to lower the glycemic index which aids in moderating the absorption of the sugars into your system.

4. Milk and yogurt contain carbohydrates but they also contain protein. Protein is another factor in reducing the glycemic index of the foods you eat that contain carbohydrates.

5. Non-starchy vegetables are low in both carbohydrates and calories. You do not have to be as strict with monitoring these foods. You are encouraged to consume foods from this group often as they also contain many nutrients and antioxidants that are very beneficial for health.

6. Incorporate cinnamon into your meals. Research shows cinnamon helps with blood sugar regulation.

7. When consuming an alcoholic beverage make sure to have it with a complex carbohydrate. Alcohol can make blood sugar drop and that is why it is important to have it with a food that contains carbohydrates.

8. If your blood sugar is low, drinking approximately a half a cup of 100% fruit juice can help to bring it back up to normal range. That will provide approximately 15 g of carbohydrates. At that point, wait 15 minutes and test your blood sugar again. If it is still not back up to normal range, drink another half cup of juice, wait fifteen minutes, and test again. Continue this process until blood sugar returns to the normal range. Also consult with your doctor on how to handle low blood sugars.

9. Manage your stress. Chronic stress makes your blood sugar spike.

10. If you ever notice your blood sugar is high, take a 10-minute brisk walk (longer if you can, but make it at least 10 minutes). This burst of exercise will help to bring down your blood sugar. So whenever possible, fit in short bursts of exercise throughout the day.

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