How to Control Blood Sugar?
Diabetes is caused by an abnormality in the insulin hormone. This abnormality occurs as insufficient insulin production, low production, or inability of insulin to function properly. This hormonal imbalance leads to increased blood sugar levels. Maintaining this balance requires blood sugar control. Both medication and diet are important in achieving this control. A restructured diet helps to achieve blood sugar control.
Diabetics are advised to maintain a healthy and careful diet. However, this doesn't mean completely avoiding certain foods. For most patients, the quantity of food consumed is important. Maintaining a daily balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is crucial. A carbohydrate-heavy diet is one of the main causes of diabetes. Therefore, foods made with white flour or sugary foods should be reduced. These should be consumed very carefully throughout the day. The patient needs to know how much carbohydrate they require daily. One of the best ways to achieve control is to replace old eating habits with new ones. For example, bulgur can be substituted for rice pilaf, and portion sizes of both can be reduced.
Controlling blood sugar doesn't mean going without food for long periods. On the contrary, diabetics should avoid prolonged fasting. Therefore, it's necessary to establish a regular meal schedule and stick to it. Small snacks should not be skipped in addition to the three main meals. Reducing portion sizes is important in this routine. Excessive fat and carbohydrate consumption should be avoided. Patients, especially those experiencing weight gain, need to control their fat intake.
For patients, it's important to know which foods are consumed and in what quantities. Changing food preferences is crucial. Foods with a low glycemic index (GPI) don't cause a sudden spike in blood sugar, thus helping patients maintain control. However, instead of constantly consuming only these types of foods, it's more important to consume all foods in the necessary amounts. Low GPI foods help change preferences. For example, if white bread is a habit for the patient, it's recommended to replace it with whole-grain bread in smaller quantities. If fruits are consumed excessively, those with a low GPI, like apples, can be chosen more frequently. In this way, the patient reduces foods that cause sudden spikes in blood sugar by replacing them with low GPI alternatives. Over time, eating habits change. Consumption of white flour and sugar becomes easier to reduce.
Another important issue is adjusting the patient's diet. Diet has a direct impact on diabetes. Sometimes, patients may adopt unhealthy eating habits while trying to control their blood sugar, or they may struggle to adapt to a new regimen. On the other hand, a diet is individual and should be determined according to the patient's needs. Unconsciously implemented dietary programs can lead to bigger problems in the long run. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a specialist dietitian when the disease is diagnosed. The dietitian considers the test results, the patient's habits, and general health status. In this way, they prepare the most appropriate program and provide recommendations that can be followed for a long time.
What diseases can result from neglecting blood sugar control?
The common goal of all treatments for diabetes is to balance blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is not controlled, problems affecting the entire body arise. These problems can be felt at the moment of imbalance. Furthermore, if left uncontrolled for a long time, it can lead to chronic problems.
When blood sugar levels become unstable, problems can arise that are temporary and can appear in a short time. The most common of these is hypoglycemia. This condition indicates that blood sugar levels have dropped below normal. It usually occurs if too much insulin is taken, if there is insufficient nutrition, or if strenuous activity is performed. It usually returns to normal when sugary foods are consumed.
In addition, a condition called ketoacidosis can occur. This is a serious problem and is also known as diabetic coma. It occurs when there is no insulin hormone at all. More often type 1 diabetes It is seen in patients with this type.
Lactic acidosis is a condition where lactic acid accumulates in the body. This occurs when cells use energy sources other than glucose, and in this case, the cells produce lactic acid. Thus, lactic acid builds up excessively, causing discomfort. On the other hand, diabetic patients are more vulnerable to infections. If left uncontrolled, bacterial or fungal infections, especially skin infections, can occur.
In addition to these, the patient may also experience persistent problems. Chronic diseases occur as a result of the damage caused to the body by diabetes that has not been controlled for a long time. Diabetics are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. When blood sugar remains high for a long time, blood vessels are damaged. Therefore, the likelihood of stroke and cardiovascular disease is approximately four times higher. Diabetes imbalance doesn't only affect the heart vessels. Problems can also occur in the blood vessels of the legs or smaller vessels.
Diabetic patients may experience vision problems. This is especially caused by uncontrolled blood sugar levels over many years. According to research, eye problems are highly prevalent in patients who have had the disease for more than 15 years and have been unable to manage their blood sugar levels. A significant portion of these patients lose their vision completely, while others experience serious problems with their visual function.
Another major risk for patients is nephropathy. This is a condition where the kidneys are negatively affected by unstable blood sugar levels. It is more common in patients with type 1 diabetes and develops with age. The risk increases further after patients reach fifty years of age. As a result of uncontrolled diabetes, patients may need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
A large number of diabetic patients also face neuropathy. Imbalances in blood sugar levels can result in nerve damage. This can cause loss of sensation in some parts of the body. This condition usually affects the limbs, such as the feet and legs. Ulcers may appear on the feet and legs, and in more severe cases, amputation may be necessary. In addition, impotence can also occur in diabetic patients.
Can I get rid of diabetes by controlling my blood sugar?
Diabetes is a metabolic disease caused by a malfunction in the insulin hormone. Abnormal blood sugar levels can lead to short-term or more serious health problems. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial. Patients diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes must take medication under a doctor's supervision and pay attention to their diet. Treatment should not be interrupted to control the disease and protect against potential damage.
To maintain balanced blood sugar levels, medication is administered according to the type and severity of the disease. In addition, dietary changes are made. When these two treatment elements are implemented together, it is possible to achieve the best results.
Diabetes control involves a new dietary regimen designed to keep the patient's blood sugar levels balanced. Accordingly, patients should not skip three main meals and three snacks. These meals should not be spaced far apart to ensure stable blood sugar levels. The meals should include a balanced distribution of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A carbohydrate-heavy diet is avoided, and foods with a low glycemic index are included in the program.
Dietitians tailor patients' nutritional habits to their health conditions. Sustainable nutrition programs are created for patients. Experts avoid programs that are too restrictive or difficult to implement. Therefore, the program to control blood sugar is largely tailored to the individual.
After a diabetes diagnosis, blood sugar control programs alone are insufficient. Similarly, medication alone needs to be supplemented in some areas. Therefore, patients are given medications to take regularly, and a new nutritional program is created for them to follow consistently. The most effective results in treating the disease are obtained when these two elements are applied together. Half of the treatment consists of healthy eating, and the other half consists of medication.
Patients who pay attention to both of these factors have a lower chance of developing serious illnesses due to diabetes. This is because abnormally high and uncontrolled blood sugar levels negatively affect blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and the body in general over time. When these are controlled and balanced, the likelihood of damage to the body decreases. Patients can lead a balanced life.
Blood Sugar Monitoring Methods
Glucose taken in through food enters the bloodstream and spreads to all cells. It provides the energy needed for cells to function. Blood sugar measurements assess the amount of glucose in a person's blood. Maintaining a balanced and normal level of blood sugar is important for all cells in the body. In diabetics, this balance is disrupted. Treatment aims to bring it under control. Therefore, blood sugar measurements provide important information when evaluating the body's overall health.
When diagnosing diabetes, doctors measure blood glucose levels through various tests. Several tests may be needed to make a definitive diagnosis. Afterward, if diabetes is present, it is recommended that the patient regularly monitor their blood sugar. This helps prevent sudden problems that may arise. There are various blood sugar tests available.
A fasting blood sugar test is performed after the patient has fasted for 8 to 12 hours. A blood sample is taken from a vein and examined. If the results are 126 mg or higher, the test is repeated on subsequent days. If the results do not change, the disease is diagnosed.
A postprandial blood sugar test is performed 120 minutes after the patient's first meal of the day. Again, a blood sample is taken from a vein and analyzed. If the values are between 140-199 mg, a diagnosis of prediabetes (hidden diabetes) is made. However, values above 200 indicate diabetes. Generally, both fasting and postprandial tests are evaluated together.
The HbA1c test is related to glucose and hemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells. The binding of blood sugar to this protein is examined. If the results are between %5.7 and %6.4, prediabetes (hidden diabetes) is present. Measurements above %6.5 indicate a higher risk. type 2 diabetes It leads to the result.
The oral glucose tolerance test is used to diagnose diabetes. If a patient's fasting blood sugar indicates a pre-diabetic state, this test determines whether or not they have the disease. The test begins by measuring fasting blood sugar. Then, seventy-five grams of glucose are mixed with three hundred milliliters of water and administered to the patient. During the 120-minute test, blood sugar is measured every 30 minutes. If the final values are higher than 200 mg/dL, a diagnosis of diabetes is made.
The last method of blood sugar monitoring is random glucose monitoring. These are measurements that patients take at home after being diagnosed with diabetes. They allow patients to assess their own condition and detect any emergencies. Blood sugar can be measured at home or anywhere desired using one of the various glucose meters available. However, this measurement is not divided into fasting or post-meal tests; therefore, it is called random. Patients interpret the values according to their fasting or post-meal status. Patients are taught which values are at normal levels and when.
Is it possible to monitor blood sugar at home?
For diabetics, frequent blood sugar monitoring is beneficial for controlling their metabolism and maintaining balanced blood sugar levels. Measurements can be taken at home, and most experts recommend regular self-monitoring. This method provides an easy way to measure blood sugar. Patients can easily and quickly detect sudden drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or rises, allowing them to take necessary precautions and regain control. This prevents imbalances from continuing and causing harm to the body.
When patients regularly monitor their blood sugar levels, they become more aware of the disease. They can interpret what worsens the disease and what helps it. The frequency of hospital visits due to sudden attacks decreases, and their quality of life improves.
Blood sugar monitoring at home can be done with glucose meters or test strips. Test strips are also called glucose test strips. They are made with glucose oxidase. A small drop of blood is placed on the strip. The color of the strip changes depending on the blood glucose level. The meaning of each color is explained in the accompanying catalog. This method is easy to apply and economical.
Another test is the urine glucose test. This test is not one of the most accurate methods, but it can be preferred if blood sugar levels cannot be measured. When the amount of sugar in the blood rises above a certain point, it is reflected in the urine. If the patient is measuring it themselves, special test strips are used. The patient holds the strip under their urine for about two seconds. Then, they wait for the specified time, and the colors on the strips change. These colors are compared with the colors in the catalog that comes with the strips, and the sugar level is determined. This amount, called the renal threshold, is not the same for everyone. It can vary depending on age and individual. Therefore, it is not a very frequently preferred method.
Another method is using blood sugar monitoring devices. These devices have become more accessible with technological advancements and come in many different models. Most devices work similarly, but each may require different usage instructions. These devices allow for quick measurement and display of the result.
If patients experience unstable blood sugar levels, they should measure their levels four times a day until they stabilize. It is generally recommended to do this before meals. Once blood sugar levels are stable, measuring them four times a week is sufficient.