BLOOD SUGAR SAFETY
Check Your Sugars Often
Think Safety First
Any time someone attempts to alter their lifestyle they should check with their doctor first to make sure that he thinks it is a good idea. Most people who know they have diabetes have already seen their doctors. Many will be taking medicines to help control blood sugars. When you make changes in what you eat or in your activity levels, your blood sugar is affected. The biggest danger will be an episode of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. This is what kills. First, make sure your doctor knows that you are wanting to improve your blood sugar through lifestyle. Ask him or her to help you with a plan, defining safe parameters for coming off your medications. Then, once you have his/her approval, work as hard as you can to improve your situation. Follow the plan your doctor gives you. You may want to show him/her this plan and ask for his/her opinion.
Lifestyle Reversal Is New Science
Bear in mind that diabetes reversal, although it has been done for more than 30 years, is still new science. Your doctor may not know the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions yet. Most doctors whole-heartedly endorse any effort to improve diabetes through lifestyle change. They long to teach better lifestyle interventions to their patients but are unable to take the time to spend with each individual doing so. Inform him/her before you begin interventions so he/she can make necessary changes in your treatment plan to keep you safe.
Test Blood Sugar Before Snacking
Test Your Blood Sugar Often
So many times I have cared for patients who treated their diabetes based on how they felt. They may say, bring me some orange juice with crackers and peanut butter. I am feeling shaky. A quick test of blood sugar most likely reveals a high blood sugar. If your sugar is 243, the last thing you need is something to drive it higher. You cannot rely on feelings. Test before you snack. If your blood sugar is above 110, as a nurse, I would not recommend a snack regardless what medications you are on.
If your blood sugar runs very high all the time, then you may feel shaky with a blood sugar of 243. However, if you will let it run lower for a day or two, those shaky feelings will go away. Concentrate on increasing the fiber content of your meals. Just keep in mind that a normal fasting blood sugar is 76-100 and after meals, is less than 140. You will feel good again once your body has adjusted to a normal blood sugar level. Study the reversal strategy to learn other things you can do to help normalize your blood sugars again. Once more, test before you snack.
Notify Your Physician of Any Hypoglycemic Event
According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman, if you are taking insulin, any time your blood sugar is less than 110 you can rest assured that you are being over medicated and your medicines need to be decreased. If you are not taking insulin, any time your blood sugar drops below 70, call your doctor. You are probably being over medicated. Think safety first.
The Bottom Line
Put safety first.
Test frequently.
Test before you snack.
Test whenever you feel shaky.
Test as instructed by your doctor.