Self blood glucose level testing is important as it enables you to see how certain activities, food that you consume and situtions may have impact on your blood glucose.

Testing will also allow you and your doctor to find out how effective  or ineffective a treatment or medication is working for you. If you are taking insulin, self-monitoring will also allow a more accurate insulin dosage adjustment.

It is also important that people with diabetes have a stable blood glucose level. An “acceptable” blood glucose level can vary but the rule of thumb is that fasting blood glucose levels should be less than 6.0mmol/L and non fasting levels should be between 4.0 to 8.0mmol/L.

WHO estimates that more than 180 million people worldwide have diabetes, according to 2005 figures. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. Almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.

 

It is suggested that pregnant women taking insulin and patients with type 1 diabetes should test their blood glucose level 3 times a day. Patients with type 2 diabetes taking multiple insulin injections daily should also test more than 3 times daily. Type 1 and Type 2 patients should test more than often to keep track of their blood glucose levels, when their treatment regimens are adjusted.

Hypoglycaemia

Also known as low blood glucose, it occurs when your blood glucose level drops too low to provide energy for your body and will usually go away 10 to 15 minutes after consuming sugar.

For children older than 10 years or adults, Hypoglycaemia is uncommon except as a side effect of diabetes treatment. But it can also result from other medications, diseases, hormone or enzyme deficiencies or tumours.

Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia
*Hunger
*Nervousness
*Perspiration
*Difficulty in speaking
*Sleepiness
*Confusion
*Dizziness
*Feeling anxious or weak

Hyperglycaemia

Also known as high blood glucose, Hyperglycaemia happens when the body has too little or insufficient insulin or the body cannot utilise insulin properly. There are a few causes of Hyperglycaemia:

*If you have type 1 diabetes, you may not have given yourself sufficient insulin.

*If you have type 2 diabetes, your body may have enough insulin but it is not sufficiently effective.

Hyperglycaemia might occurs if you consume more than planned or exercise less than planned. IIIness or physiological stress may also cause Hyperglycaemia.

Symptoms of Hyperglycaemia

*Hunger
*Blurred vision
*Urge to urinate frequently
*Fatigue
*Thirsty
*Weight loss
*Wounds take a longer time to heal
*Dry mouth
*Dry or itchy skin
*Impotence

Diabetes has become a global health burden. Learn more about this autoimmune disorder and ways to manage the disease at any age. Also always check your blood glucose level to prevent most common diseases.