Blood sugar managment Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash Blood sugar managementWhat happens when sugar enters the body?How do I measure my blood sugar levels?What are the desired blood sugar levels?What makes blood sugar levels high or low?What are ketones, ketosis and ketoacidosis?How do carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels?What else can I do to help manage my blood sugar levels?What if I can’t afford diabetes tests and supplies?Most of the food you eat is turned into sugar (also called glucose) that is released into your bloodstream to be used as your body’s main source of energy. Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are too high. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it is very important to keep your blood sugar levels within a target range. You may need to check your blood sugar levels several times a day. What happens when sugar enters the body?The pancreas releases insulin when your blood sugar level rises after eating.Insulin works like a key that allows blood sugar to enter the body’s cells to be used for energy.When blood sugar and insulin levels are high, the liver absorbs sugar and stores it as glycogen. The liver can convert it back to sugar when needed for energy.How do I measure my blood sugar levels?If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, there are two ways to measure blood sugar:Do-it-yourself blood sugar checks. These numbers tell you what your blood sugar level is at the time of the checkup. Blood sugar monitoring is very important for people with diabetes.The A1c test is done in a lab or in a doctor’s office. The A1c test measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. It also helps your health care team decide what type and amount of diabetes medicine you may need.Managing your diabetes can help you avoid other serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, poor oral health, and vision loss. Photo by Mykenzie Johnson on Unsplash blood sugar level test What are the desired blood sugar levels?Target blood sugar level is the personal blood sugar level that you try to achieve as much as possible. Your health care team might also use the term meta. People with diabetes have blood sugar goals for different times of the day. Your health care team will recommend a blood sugar goal that is right for you. These are classic goals: Before eating: 80 to 130 mg/dL.Two hours after starting to eat: Less than 180 mg/dL.Times to check your blood sugar level include the following: When you first wake up (fasting).Before a meal.Two hours after a meal.At bedtime.The number of times you check your blood sugar will depend on the type of diabetes you have and whether or not you take diabetes medicine. People who take insulin may need to be checked more frequently than people who do not. What makes blood sugar levels high or low? Checking your blood sugar levels regularly helps track what makes these levels go up or down. For example, getting sick, having stress, or eating certain foods could cause your levels to rise. Or when you take medicine, get more physical activity, or eat less than usual, your levels may drop. High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, means that your level is higher than your target level. If this is sustained over time, it can cause serious long-term health problems. Symptoms of high blood sugar include:Feeling very tired.be thirstyHave blurred vision.Having to urinate (pee) more often.If you are sick and your blood sugar remains above 240 mg/dL after checking twice, call your doctor. If you have type 1 diabetes, make sure you have your urine tested for ketones. If you have influenza (the flu), see Influenza and Sick Days for special instructions. Photo by deltaG Ketones on Unsplash What are ketones, ketosis and ketoacidosis? These terms sound similar, but they affect people with diabetes differently. Ketones: When there is not enough sugar in the body to perform activities, the liver releases Douglas blood sugar management sugar levels within a target range. You may need your average blood sugar level over the past three months. It also helps your healthcare team decide what type and amount of diabetes medicine you may need.Managing your diabetes can help you avoid other serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, poor oral health, and vision loss.