Living with Diabetes
If you have been diagnosed with any of the forms of diabetes, don’t’ panic. Although diabetes isn’t curable there is a great deal of information and many types of treatment that are available that will help you control your diabetes and prevent complications.
  • Share your thoughts and feelings with your family, friends and your health care team. Tell them what you need from them so that they can help you manage your diabetes.
  • Don’t worry, having diabetes doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to stop doing things you and your family love doing.
Taking care of yourself and monitoring your blood sugar

Home glucose monitoring using a glucometer will greatly assist your degree of control. It is extremely important that your glucose levels are kept as close as possible to the normal level. You will get instant information regarding the interaction of food, exercise stress and inter-current infections present.

In the case of persons with T1DM, it is best that you check before each main meal and at bed time. This will give you sufficient information to make the necessary adjustments yourself or to discuss same with your health professional. It is prudent to record your values along with the date and time.

Method of Glucometer testing for Random Blood Sugar

   
         
Place strip into the Glucometer
  
Prick your finger with a Glucometer pen
Place a drop of blood on the Glucometer strip
High blood glucose (Hyperglycaemia)
High blood glucose is when your blood glucose levels rise above the normal range (110mg/dL or 5.5 mmol/L). It is often the result of an imbalance between food, exercise and therapy. It can also occur when you are ill, pregnant or under stress.

Signs of High Blood Sugar are:
  • Increased thirst and dryness of mouth
  • Increased tiredness/ drowsiness
  • Increased urination
  • Cramps
  • Altered vision
If you are experiencing any of the above, check your blood sugar levels immediately and take corrective measures if known or contact your healthcare professionals.
If you have T1DM check your urine for ketones and contact your doctor.
 
Low blood glucose (Hypoglycaemia)

This can occur if your blood sugar levels drop below the normal range. It can result from excess medication, inadequate intake of food, missing or delaying a meal, drinking alcohol without eating or by changing the amount of exercise that you do.

Signs:

  • Excess hunger
  • Headache
  • Cold sweat
  • Feeling light-headed confused and drowsy
  • General weakness and inability to do your normal work
  • Feeling irritable, angry or confused
  • Altered level of consciousness
  • Fits

 
It is important to remember that sometimes you may not get any warning signs. Warning signs are sometimes individualised. Regular meals and a snack before exercise are advocated. A tablet of glucose, sweets or food/drink containing sugar or starch should be ingested immediately.
 
 
 
 
Living with Diabetes
Diabetes in Children
Diabetes and the Work Place
Diabetes and Pregnancy
Diabetes and the Elderly