Checking your blood glucose more often can help reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes (cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, foot damage, skin conditions, hearing impairment, etc).  This is one of the best ways to know if your treatment plan and medications are working.

1. You can find out how exercise affects your blood sugar which could enable you to exercise more

• Check your blood sugar before and after exercise to see the effect activity has on your blood sugar. You can find out how exercise can decrease your blood sugar after eating a carbohydrate containing (which is more of a reason to exercise more often!)

2. You can find out how food affects your blood sugar

• Check your blood sugar before and after you eat to help identify which foods increase your blood sugar. This will help you know which foods to adjust the portions of to achieve optimal blood sugar levels.

3. You will know if you have a low or high blood sugar (so you can treat it quickly!)

• Check your blood sugar at the first sign of symptoms of low blood sugar (being shaky, sweaty, or confused). Eat an extra 15-20 grams of carbohydrate to treat a low (3-4 peppermints, life savers, or glucose tablets). Identifying a high blood sugar is just as important as identifying a low. Call your doctor if you have 2 or more blood sugar readings of 240mg/dl in a 24hr period.

Click here for a free blood glucose meter!

 
Sources:
Mayoclinic.org
Cdiabetes.com