Monitoring Blood Sugar Questions

1. Should my active parent check his blood sugar during exercise?

   Your father should check his blood glucose if he notices symptoms such as shakiness, nervousness, vision changes, hunger, dizziness, headache, confusion, or sweating. These are all potential signs of low blood sugar, which can be brought on by physical activity.
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2. What's an A1c test and why is it important for my dad to take it?

   The A1c test (you pronounce each letter and number separately), also referred to as the hemoglobin A1c or glycosylated hemoglobin test, gives information about your dad's average blood glucose levels over the previous six to eight weeks. It measures the amount of glucose, or sugar, that sticks to the...
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3. How frequently should Dad's blood sugar be tested?

   Research suggests at least 25 percent of nursing home residents have diabetes in the United States. Currently, clinical practice guidelines for this vulnerable population do not exist. The issue faced by your father-in-law and the shear numbers of people with diabetes in nursing homes is an example of...
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4. How can I help my parent figure out when her blood sugar is too high?

   Unfortunately, older people with diabetes often don't experience any signs of high blood sugar. Or, confusingly, the symptoms can mimic low blood sugar, such as feeling tired, hungry, or shaky. So the only way you or your parent can accurately assess the situation is by testing her blood sugar.
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5. How can I help my mother handle low blood sugar incidents?

   When your mother is having a low blood sugar episode, it's quite possible she may not have enough fuel in her brain to make rational decisions such as, "I need to eat something -- right now." Also, there's a tendency for warning signs -- which include irritability, shaking, sweating, headaches, confusion...
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6. Is there a relationship between stress and blood sugar levels?

   Yes, absolutely. Physical and mental stress can cause blood sugar levels to skyrocket. Some people with type 2 diabetes see their numbers soar 100, 200 points or more under stress. And it's not just "bad" stress like illness, injury, or bankruptcy that can trigger such a response...
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7. How should we handle a diabetic's fluctuating metaglip levels?

   Call your parent's prescribing healthcare provider to notify him or her of these highs and lows and make an appointment for your parent to see her doctor. Your parent should bring detailed food-activity-glucose records, and ask for a referral to a diabetes education program, if he or she isn't already in one...
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8. How can I help my mom deal with high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension?

   First, it might help to know you're far from alone. While your mother is dealing with a triple-whammy diagnosis, her situation is not uncommon. Many people with type 2 diabetes must also contend with hypertension and high fat levels (such as cholesterol or triglycerides) in the blood, known as hyperlipidemia...
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9. How long do you need to fast for a diabetes blood test?

   In most cases you will need to fast 1-2 hours in order to get an accurate reading. You should have no food at all during this time and you should only have water too drink. Failure to fast before the test can produce inconsistent results.
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