Diabetes FAQ's
Q. I just started a new medicine for my diabetes and I'm afraid it is going to make my blood sugar drop too low. What are the symptoms of low blood sugar and what should I do if it happens to me?
A. Symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include chills, cold sweat, shaking, rapid heart rate, hunger, blurred vision, decreased concentration, weakness, headache, fainting. If you experience these symptoms, test your blood glucose (blood sugar) with your home monitor. To increase blood glucose quickly, eat a source of sugar such as table sugar, orange juice, honey, non-diet soda, glucose tablets or gel. After eating a source of sugar, retest your blood glucose as directed by your health care team. You may need to eat an additional source of sugar if your blood glucose level is still low. Always wear a form of diabetes identification (bracelet, necklace or wallet card) in case of an emergency. It will help you get the treatment you need. Be sure to discuss a detailed plan for treating hypoglycemia with your diabetes educator and tell your doctor about any episodes of hypoglycemia. To help prevent hypoglycemia, eat meals on a regular schedule and do not skip meals.
Q. I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine in the evening. Can this affect my diabetes?
A. While the Journal of the American Medical Association has reported that moderate alcohol consumption may reduce insulin resistance, it is best to check with your doctor. Sometimes alcohol can cause low blood sugar, so be very careful. If you are going to drink alcohol, drink in moderation. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, you should not drink alcohol. Also, be sure to ask your Rite Aid Pharmacist if any of your medications interact with alcohol.
Q. If I cut out all sweets from my diet, will my blood sugar return to normal?
A. It's not necessarily what you eat, but how much you eat that matters. Most of the food you eat is broken down into glucose and other simple sugars. For this reason, lots of different foods can increase your blood sugar, not just sweets. Foods high in carbohydrates such as breads, pastas and potatoes increase blood glucose quickly. The more of these foods you eat, the higher your blood glucose will be. The key to maintaining normal blood glucose levels is to eat well-balanced meals in combination with your medications, blood glucose testing schedule and exercise program. Your Rite Aid Pharmacist can help you with basic tips on eating. Your doctor and a Registered Dietician can help you further develop a meal plan that is right for you. You'll still be able to eat most of the foods you love, while keeping a handle on your blood glucose.
Q. Why is it so important to keep blood glucose levels within a normal range?
A. High blood glucose levels can cause many long-term health problems. Eye, kidney, nerve and heart disease are directly related to high blood glucose levels. You can also experience sexual problems and frequent infections. It has been proven that keeping glucose levels within a normal range can slow the progression or even prevent these complications from occurring. You have the power to protect yourself.
- Follow a meal plan
- Take your medications and exercise as directed by your doctor
- Test your blood glucose regularly and share your results with your healthcare team
- Visit your doctor to have the tests necessary to monitor your diabetes including blood pressure, urine protein, blood glucose and cholesterol
- See an eye doctor and foot doctor at least once a year, or more frequently as directed
- Have regular dental exams
- Examine your feet every day and report any abnormalities
- Do not smoke
- Drink alcohol in moderation, if approved by your doctor
Q. I have diabetes and I am pregnant. Are my nutritional needs different because I have diabetes?
A. Pregnancy and diabetes is a challenging combination for a mother-to-be. Whether you had diabetes before you got pregnant or whether you developed it during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), you still need to achieve normal blood glucose levels and adequate weight gain while eating a diet that is nutritious not only for you, but your baby as well. Your health care team should be experienced in dealing with prenatal care for women with diabetes. Your team will help you with meal planning, blood glucose monitoring, and ketone testing. It is also recommended that all pregnant women take a multivitamin containing folic acid. This is especially important during the first trimester to reduce the risk of birth defects. Women who develop gestational diabetes are at a greater risk of developing diabetes, usually type 2, after pregnancy. These women need to talk to their health care team about how to prevent diabetes in the future and should be screened for diabetes at least 6 weeks after delivery and regularly after that.
