1. Can I test myself at home for blood glucose levels?
If you are not diabetic there is usually no reason to test glucose levels at home.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, however, your doctor will recommend a home glucose monitor (glucose meter). You will be given guidelines for how high or low your blood sugar should be at different times of the day. By checking your glucose regularly, you can see if the diet and medication schedule you are following is working properly.
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2. Can I test my urine glucose instead of my blood?
Not in most cases. Glucose will only show up in the urine if it is at sufficiently high levels in the blood so that the body is "dumping" the excess into the urine, or if the kidneys are damaged and the glucose is leaking out into the urine. Urine glucose, however, is sometimes used as a rough indicator of high glucose levels, and if it is detected further tests of blood glucose should then be carried out.
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3. What are the usual treatments for diabetes?
For type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type of
diabetes, losing excess weight, eating a healthy low fat diet that is high in fibre, and getting regular amounts of exercise may be enough to lower your blood glucose levels. In many cases however, oral medications that increase the body's production of and sensitivity to insulin are necessary to achieve the desired glucose level. With type 1 diabetes (and with type 2 diabetes that does not respond well enough to oral medications), insulin injections several times a day are necessary.
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4. How can a diabetes specialist nurse help me?
If you are diabetic, a diabetes specialist nurse (or sometimes a practise nurse) can make sure that you know how to:
- Plan meals (a dietician can help with this also). Diet is extremely important in minimizing swings in blood glucose levels.
- Recognize and know how to treat both high and low blood sugar
- Test and record your self check glucose values
- Adjust your medications
- Administer insulin (which types in which combinations to meet your needs)
- Handle medications when you get ill
- Monitor your feet, skin, and eyes to catch problems early
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