The first time I knew I had diabetes, though I didn’t realize what it was, I was driving a friend from her home in Kentucky to her mother’s house three hours away. The entire trip, my mouth was dry, no matter how many sodas I drank, and I had to stop to pee every 45 minutes. The entire trip!
This is because when my blood sugar became abnormally high; my kidneys began to filter the sugar out of my blood through my urine.
Of all the symptoms of Diabetes, dry mouth and frequent urination are the ones most noticeable, and if you experience these symptoms now and then, consider checking your blood sugar levels. This is not a constant condition: it only happens when my blood sugar is very high.
Normally, a person’s blood sugar is between 70 and 100. You can take you own blood sugar level with a relatively inexpensive blood sugar meter, which are sold over the counter at most pharmacies. I use ReliOn Brand, though I am sure they are all similar.
Take a measurement about an hour after you eat, and when you wake up. You blood sugar is lowest when you wake up, and highest right after you eat. Mine sits at around 135-155. Even if I don’t eat, it is 135.
In addition, if your doctor prescribes or recommends, it is also helpful to take supplements for diabetes such as sugar balance to help you regulate your blood sugar naturally. This will help you to fight some health conditions cause by diabetes.
If you blood sugar gets over 200, you should do something to lower it right away. This level of blood sugar can cause damage to nerves, and blindness is one of the side effects I find most disconcerting. I personally use jogging to lower my blood sugar, and drink plenty of water. I also keep some weights in my room, for exercise indoors. If my blood sugar is unusually high when I can’t jog, I will lift one-hand weights until my arms burn, and this immediately takes sugar out of my blood.
Be sure to increase your heart rate for at least fifteen minutes each day, to deplete the sugar reserves in your muscles. The body will spend time replenishing these reserves throughout the day.
If your blood sugar is over 200 consistently, try eating a soup made of boiled tomato, cabbage, celery and onion. I sometimes mix grilled chicken and Parmesan cheese in it. This tricks your body. It thinks it is nice and full, but really there is almost no substance to this soup. You metabolism stays high and your liver does not release sugar reserves. I have seen my blood sugar drop to as low as 90 on this diet. But it is very bland, and it is hard to bring myself to eat it twice a day.
One key in controlling Type II diabetes is getting your weight down to where it should be, and regular, moderate exercise. Of course, you may exercise more aggressively if you are trying to lose weight, but if you are attempting to lower your blood sugar, don’t exercise so much that your body releases sugar to help you overcome your fatigue.
In type II diabetes, the receptors on the cell walls that detect the presence of insulin have become de-sensitized. As a result, the cells do not absorb additional sugars when your insulin level rises. Keeping your blood sugars as low as you can, I have read that 125 is a fair target, is important. The side-effects of constant, high blood sugar are devastating, ranging from Nerve damage to heart attack. I find I have occasional foot pains. This is a sign of nerve damage. The nerves running to your feet are the longest, and I believe this is why diabetics experience pains in their feet first.
Do not eat noodles, breads, French fries, sugar, and other carbohydrates. These become blood sugar. The more carbs, the worse, so start checking labels. This, along with exercise and your medication are the keys to controlling the problem. If you have pre-diabetes, that is, if you blood sugar is high, but not quite high enough to be considered diabetes, treat it! There is evidence that treatment of high blood sugar before it gets to a certain stage can reverse it. The fact is that your insulin receptors can change their level of sensitivity to insulin, one way or the other.
I hope this overview helps you, if you think you might have this condition. If you do, don’t ignore it. People with diabetes can lead long, healthy lives if they can keep their blood sugar levels in check. I takes perseverance, but isn’t life worth the effort?
