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Monitoring blood glucose levels is essential for managing diabetes. A glucose meter provides immediate feedback on how well blood sugar is controlled. Understanding the readings can help in making informed decisions about diet, medication, and activity levels.
Understanding Your Glucose Readings
Blood glucose levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Normal fasting levels typically range from 70 to 99 mg/dL. Post-meal readings should be below 180 mg/dL. Consistently high or low readings indicate the need for adjustments in your management plan.
What High Readings Mean
Elevated blood glucose levels can suggest that your diabetes is not well controlled. Causes may include skipped medication, poor diet, stress, or illness. Persistent high readings increase the risk of complications such as nerve damage, kidney issues, and cardiovascular problems.
What Low Readings Indicate
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can occur if medication doses are too high, meals are missed, or physical activity is increased. Symptoms include sweating, dizziness, and confusion. Immediate intake of fast-acting carbohydrates is recommended to restore normal levels.
Tips for Effective Monitoring
- Test your blood sugar regularly as advised by your healthcare provider.
- Keep a log of your readings to identify patterns.
- Follow your prescribed medication and diet plan consistently.
- Discuss abnormal readings with your healthcare team.