-Blood sugar levels are a primary concern for people with diabetes

Overview

High blood sugar known as hyperglycemia is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes. If not controlled properly, it can cause serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke, kidney and eye disease.

High glucose level can be managed in order to control diabetes and lead a long and healthy life. Managing blood sugar, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol, can help prevent other health problems.

Today, Dr. Hira S. Baqai – Diabetologistwill provide ways to make lifestyle changes to help control blood sugar levels and will also share a diabetic meal plan to manage glucose level, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Signs of High Blood Sugar

Common symptoms of high blood glucose levels in adults are:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urine infection
• Blurred vision
• Needingto go to the toilet often
• Having adry mouth
• Unplanned weight loss
• Feelingtired/lethargic
• Feeling uncomfortable and irritable

Children with Type 2 diabetes may experience frequent urination, not be able to gain weight, fatigue and be thirstier.

Lifestyle Modifications

According to Dr. Hira, “Diabetes is not a disease, it is a lifestyle modification”. Following are some key changes indaily life which can help manage high blood sugar levels:

1.     Monitor blood sugar levels closely

Monitoring your blood sugar glucose level is most important for people with diabetes. People who have a family history of diabetes, who are gaining unnecessary weight, and who have other diseases should keep an eye on their blood glucose levels. The results can help to make decisions about food, physical activity, and medicines.

The most common way to check blood glucose levels at home is with a blood glucose meter. It is recommended to monitor glucose3-4 times a day and make sure to keep a record of it to show it to the doctor. The Diabetologist can make the best recommendation regarding blood sugarmonitoring to a person with diabetes.

2.     Eat Healthily

It is important for diabetic patients to take good control of their diet and know what to eat, how much to eat and what combinations of food types to eat to manage blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients should choose foodslower in calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and salt.

Dr. Hira states, “Controlling blood sugarlevel does not mean cutting the amount of sugar being taken, instead, it is acombination of a healthy diet, lifestyle and medication.” Avoid any refined and processed foods that may be in your diet as these are often high in sugar and opt for a low carbohydrate diet.

A well-balanced meal means a good combination of carbs, fruits, vegetables, proteins. It is essential to ensure proper portion size and an accurate carbohydrate count. Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks which are high in calories and offer little nutrition because they cause blood sugar to rise quickly.

Dr. Hira further elaborates there is no alternative to white sugar for diabetic patients. For non-diabetic people, it is healthier to consume organic brown sugar, honey or jaggery (traditional non-centrifugal cane sugar or Gurh).

Below is a comprehensive meal plan suggested by Dr. Hira for diabetic patients:

• Breakfast: 1 Chapati/2 Brown bread slices, 1 Egg cooked in 1 tsp oil, Oats without sugar, Tea without sugar.
• Snack: One fruit or a fruit bowl/Popcorn/Roastedchick peas.
• Lunch: Salad bowl (limited quantity of root vegetables), 1 Chapati with homemade curry (cooked in less oil).
• Snack: Tea without sugar preferably with wholewheat biscuits.
• Dinner: Same as lunch
• Post-Dinner: Hot cup of milk before bedtime

3.    Physical Activity

Physical activity is another important part of diabetes management plan as the muscles use sugar (glucose) for energy.Regular physical activity also helps the body to use insulin more efficiently. Dr. Hira recommends at least 150 minutes of brisk walk a week which can help to lower blood sugar.

4.    Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated and drinking water can help the body with flushing out some of the glucose in the blood especially while exercising because dehydration can affect blood sugar levels. People who want to reduce blood sugar levels should reach for water and avoid all sugary drinks, such as fruit juice or soda, which may raise blood sugar levels.

5.     Medication

Insulin and other diabetes medications are designed to lower blood sugar levels when diet and exercise alone aren't sufficient for managing diabetes. But the effectiveness of these medications depends on the timing and size of the dose. Medications taken for conditions other than diabetes also can affect blood sugar levels.

6.     Maintain a Healthy Weight

Keeping a healthy weight will help to improve cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart stroke and help control blood sugar levels. Being overweight is linked to increased incidentsof diabetes and greater occurrences of insulinresistance. Therefore, it is advised to maintain a healthy weight through a combination of balanced diet, adequate sleep and regular exercise.

7.     Getting Tested

Getting tested for HbA1c is important for people who are at pre-diabetic stage. It shows the average glucose level over the past three months. The higher the levels, the greater the risk of developing diabetes complications.

Takeaway

Managing blood sugar level for diabetic people is a lifetime process and requires a health change in lifestyle. Apart from the tips given above, diabetic people should learn waysto beat stress with a hobby. Also, try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to help improve mood and energy levels. However, a person should always follow their doctor’s advice for lowering high blood sugar.

To book an online or physical appointment with Diabetologist Dr. Hira S. Baqai, click on https://www.shifaam.com/doctors/karachi/diabetologist/dr-hira-sabih-baqai-11869 or download the Shifaam HealthApp now from Google Play (bit.ly/2JqZo3C) or the iOS App Store (apple.co/2QUVxQz) today!