According to the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet almost 24 million Americans (nearly 8% of the population) have diabetes. 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes (diagnosed with a fasting blood sugar of 100 mg/dL - 125 mg/dL whereas diabetes is diagnosed at one point higher, 126 mg/dL) and there are 1.6 million new diabetes cases each year of those 20 years and older.The risk increases for heart disease and stroke, hypertension, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage and amputation if you have diabetes.These statistics may encourage you to be proactive with your disease.
Your numbers are critical in your diabetes self-management. The numbers I'm referring to are your A1c (3-month blood sugar average that should be 7% or less, according to the American Diabetes Association), cholesterol (know both your HDLs and LDLs), blood pressure and glucose readings throughout the day. HDL is your healthy cholesterol and should be over 45 mg/dL for men and over 55 mg/dL for women. LDL is your "lousy" cholesterol and should be under 70 mg/dL if you have diabetes and blood pressure should be under 130/80 if you have diabetes. There are A1c and cholesterol kits as well as blood glucose meters that are readily available to you.
There are also blood pressure monitors that you can use at home so that you are relaxed prior to your reading. There are different types of monitors such as a wrist blood pressure monitor or an arm blood pressure monitor and some that are even automatic! There is a new blood pressure monitor called the Omron HEM-780 that is unique because it detects high morning blood pressure. This is important since morning blood pressure is a good predictor of stroke, one of the diabetes complications. Take advantage of these tools since these numbers give you and your healthcare team information to make changes in your treatment if necessary. If cost is an issue, these life-saving items are all available as diabetes wholesale products.
The best times to check your blood glucose is before meals and 2 hours after you start to eat that meal. You may also try to check your glucose at bedtime and the next morning before you eat or drink. Testing glucose before and after meals will allow you to see the effect of that particular meal. You may wonder how many points your blood sugar will rise from eating pizza or your favorite pasta dinner. There is no need to wonder! If you are choosing your food reasonably and it rises over 50 points then you may need a medication adjustment. This information is important to determine your course of treatment. The A1c is a very good overview of your progress; however, it does not give specific information about how your food, activity, stress (emotional or physical) or medication is reacting with your body.
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