Mismanaged diet and medications can cause increased glucose levels, but an underlying condition can also.

People with type 2 diabetes will likely have the occasional elevated blood sugar reading. But if high glucose levels continue regularly, this is a concern to be examined.

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Blood sugar readings that are continually increased place a type 2 diabetic’s body at risk for nerve damage, eyesight deterioration, and kidney function problems. In addition, a small skin tear on a lower extremity could turn into a slow or nonhealing ulcer.

Normal ranges for blood sugar.

80mg/dl to 130mg/dL -waking up in the morning and before every meal.

Less than 180mg/dL -two hours from the start of a meal.

Equal to or less than 100mg/dL -at bedtime.

Initially, it may seem like a tremendous task to use a logbook or a mobile app to keep track of daily glucose readings, meals times, carbohydrate grams, and medications. Tracking health records will become a routine over time and beneficial for long-term personal health to review and track your health progress. Keep in mind honesty is the best policy for personal evaluation and learning! Providing this information will make every medical evaluation much more productive.

A person with type 2 diabetes should lead an investigation on themselves to pin down any additional areas that need examining.

• Lifestyle changes ranging from moving to a new home or a death of a family member or close friend can cause havoc on the body and mind.
• Unfortunately, our professional and personal lives are not perfect. Everything falling into place does not always happen as fast as one wishes.
• Any level of illness can cause a slow-down period, not able to perform usual duties, drowsy from over-the-counter medication possibly interfering with prescribed drugs.
• Financial worries cause a person to take on more responsibility at work, therefore, less personal time.
• Challenging menstrual cycles can cause terrible mood swings, discomfort, and exhaustion.
• Medications not taken as prescribed or are interacting with other drugs.
• A sleepless night here and there happens to many of us. Frequent lack of sleep can add tension to physical and mental status.
• Not able to coordinate oral medications, insulin, and food intake to a new exercise schedule.

Decide what pertains to you specifically and would be most important to discuss at the next medical visit. Creating a written or smartphone app list of questions is the first step to making the most of valuable time at a medical appointment.

Once at the appointment do not try to guess what the medical provider is thinking or wants to hear. Be truthful with your answers. Health care providers are there to help a person with type 2 diabetes be as healthy as possible.

Even if the doctor does not have an immediate answer to a question, it may help by having an open discussion. The health professional may find it necessary to refer you to a specialist.

In conclusion, this information is to help you and the medical expert remain focused and on schedule during an appointment.

Disclaimer: My food and nutrition articles are for informational purposes only. Always follow your healthcare provider’s guidance and orders.

Thank you for reading. :-)

References:
American Association of Diabetes Educators, Cornell, S., Halstenson, C., & Miller, D. K. (2019). The Art and Science of Diabetes Self-Management Education Desk Reference (4th ed.). American Association of Diabetes Educators.