The level of sugar that floats around in the bloodstream has a great effect on your overall health. If your blood sugar becomes too low, it can cause dizziness, confusion, fainting, coma or death. If your blood sugar becomes too high, it can cause fatigue, organ damage, nerve damage, eye damage, skin conditions, Alzheimer's, heart disease and death. Controlling your blood sugar is essential.
Good Nutrition
Proper nutrition is key to controlling blood sugar. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating lots of fresh fruit and low-starch vegetables, such as spinach, carrots and green beans. Whole-grain foods, beans, low-fat meats and dairy products are also recommended, while processed foods and sweets should be avoided. Foods that are high in fiber, such as the whole grains and fresh vegetables are especially important in the control of blood sugar, as the Mayo Clinic reports that fiber in the digestive tract can slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. One word of caution: Even though you are eating healthy foods, you still need to watch your portion sizes, because too much of a good thing can still cause weight gain, which increases blood sugar. If you need to control low blood sugar, you will still want to stay away from sweets and processed foods, as when you eat them more insulin is produced, which can make you suffer a blood sugar "crash."
Sufficient Exercise
According to Johns Hopkins medicine health alerts, exercise can benefit you when it comes to controlling your blood sugar. It helps the body respond to the insulin; it can improve circulation, which is necessary for those with diabetes; and it can reduce your stress levels. The American Diabetes Association reports that stress can increase the production of stress hormones, which can alter blood sugar levels.
As muscles move and contract, they use the sugar stored in the muscles as energy. During exercise, as the sugar level in the muscles becomes low, sugar is drawn out of the bloodstream to replace it. On the other hand, you will have to be careful, because the report also states that while exercise lowers blood sugar levels for some people, it can raise it for others. When the liver sees an increase in adrenaline in the body, it raises the amount of sugar it releases into the bloodstream. If you are on medication to treat your diabetes, you must monitor your blood sugar level before, during and after exercise, so you are aware of how your body responds to the increased activity.
Medication
Many people are able to control their blood sugar by making changes to their diet and lifestyle. However, if after implementing exercise and proper nutrition your blood sugar levels are still too high or too low, your doctor may prescribe medication to get it under control. If your blood sugar is too low, your medication may contain drugs that stop the production of insulin, or be a drug that contains glucose, as your body needs more sugar. If your sugar levels are already too high, your medication will include insulin, which helps process the excess sugar that is in the blood. Lifeclinic Management Systems recommends keeping a close eye on your blood sugar levels by testing it at least three times per day. Knowing exactly how medication affects you throughout the day can help your doctor determine whether or not your dosage should be adjusted.
