Doubt about Diabetes ?

Q. I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. How long after my meal should i check my blood glucose level?

Monitor your glucose level

A. A holistic management of diabetes requires frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels to know whether your diabetes is on the right track. If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, then this becomes an important part of your routine. For the initial few weeks, it is important that you monitor blood glucose levels regularly. Generally, pre-and post meal (two hours after start of the breakfast, lunch or dinner) sugars are checked. If you are on oral medications, you can check blood glucose less frequently. But if you're taking insulin shots, you may need to check more frequently, depending on your physician's instructions.

Add more Fluids

Q. How should i handle my diabetes when i am not feeling well and have no appetite? I have quit taking the medicines that release insulin during meals, because i am not eating anything. Am i doing right?

A. Food and blood glucose have directly proportional relationship. Even if your appetite is low, medications need to be continued. However you can adjust the dosages of your medications as advised by your physician. Your doctor may advise you to lower the ones which release insulin. It is important to take small and frequent meals and plenty of fluids when appetite is low.

Q. My grandmother had diabetes. I have heard that diabetes skips a generation, and my physician tells me she believes i have pre-diabetes. Is there any way i can prevent actual diabetes from happening?

Aerobic workouts

A. Genetics has a major contribution in diabetes. If you have a family history of diabetes, be it in 2-3 generations, you still have some predisposition to developing diabetes. Over and above this, if your lifestyle is not correct, you will develop diabetes very faster. For those who have pre-diabetes, intensive lifestyle modifications are required (maintaining body weight, reducing the consumption of excessive intake of saturated fats and refined carbohydrates. 45-60 minutes of aerobic and work related activity), so as to prevent development of diabetes. You need to get your blood glucose tested if you are more than 35 years of age.