I’m a 66-year-old woman and was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The doctor has asked me to monitor my blood glucose level frequently. Why should a person with Diabetes keep on checking their blood glucose level?The level of glucose in the blood is a variable marker and fluctuates during the day. Blood glucose levels depend on the food pattern, exercise, stress and medications which the patient is consuming. To keep a track of blood glucose levels and to keep them in the target range it is advisable to check blood glucose levels frequently. To prevent complications due to Diabetes, it is advisable for a person with Diabetes to keep blood glucose levels within the target range, which depends on the age of the patient and life expectancy. For young patients the targets are lower and for geriatric patients they are a little higher. By and large fasting or pre-meal blood glucose levels around 100 mg/dL are advised and2-hour post meal around 150 mg/dL is required. We also advise Hba1c (average blood glucose test for last 2-3 months)which should be kept below 7 per cent.If the blood glucose levels are not tested regularly, we won’t be able to judge whether they are higher than the target or lower than the normal levels. As low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) might also prove harmful. It is advisable for a person with Diabetes to check blood glucose levels frequently as advised by their doctor.Dr Ashutosh Pakale Consultant Diabetologist.My 15-year-old son was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I'm very scared that his condition will affect his academics as he is gearing up for 10th boards. Will he be different from normal children? He is currently on medication. Is there no other treatment for his Diabetes?It is not surprising nowadays to get Type 2 Diabetes in very young age, as early as 15 years. Type 2 Diabetes is mainly the result of a wrong life-style, in addition to a contribution from positive family history of Type 2 Diabetes. The mainstay of treatment of Type 2 Diabetes includes a diabetic diet (which is not very different from a normal healthy diet), regular exercise, maintaining a normal weight for height and sometimes medications. I have seen many patients with Type 2 Diabetes maintaining their blood glucose levels within normal ranges even without any medications i.e., only with a positive life-style change. Your son may also be able to do so. There are rare genetic causes for Diabetes in young who will have to be on medications but Type 2 Diabetes can be managed without medications in some people. What is most important is that his blood glucose levels should be within normal limits to prevent complications in the future. If your son follows a healthy life-style, takes medications if required and does regular monitoring to keep his blood glucose under control, he can lead a normal life like any other child!Dr Ankur Sharma,Consulting Diabetologist
I’m a 66-year-old woman and was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The doctor has asked me to monitor my blood glucose level frequently. Why should a person with Diabetes keep on checking their blood glucose level?The level of glucose in the blood is a variable marker and fluctuates during the day. Blood glucose levels depend on the food pattern, exercise, stress and medications which the patient is consuming. To keep a track of blood glucose levels and to keep them in the target range it is advisable to check blood glucose levels frequently. To prevent complications due to Diabetes, it is advisable for a person with Diabetes to keep blood glucose levels within the target range, which depends on the age of the patient and life expectancy. For young patients the targets are lower and for geriatric patients they are a little higher. By and large fasting or pre-meal blood glucose levels around 100 mg/dL are advised and2-hour post meal around 150 mg/dL is required. We also advise Hba1c (average blood glucose test for last 2-3 months)which should be kept below 7 per cent.If the blood glucose levels are not tested regularly, we won’t be able to judge whether they are higher than the target or lower than the normal levels. As low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) might also prove harmful. It is advisable for a person with Diabetes to check blood glucose levels frequently as advised by their doctor.Dr Ashutosh Pakale Consultant Diabetologist.My 15-year-old son was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I'm very scared that his condition will affect his academics as he is gearing up for 10th boards. Will he be different from normal children? He is currently on medication. Is there no other treatment for his Diabetes?It is not surprising nowadays to get Type 2 Diabetes in very young age, as early as 15 years. Type 2 Diabetes is mainly the result of a wrong life-style, in addition to a contribution from positive family history of Type 2 Diabetes. The mainstay of treatment of Type 2 Diabetes includes a diabetic diet (which is not very different from a normal healthy diet), regular exercise, maintaining a normal weight for height and sometimes medications. I have seen many patients with Type 2 Diabetes maintaining their blood glucose levels within normal ranges even without any medications i.e., only with a positive life-style change. Your son may also be able to do so. There are rare genetic causes for Diabetes in young who will have to be on medications but Type 2 Diabetes can be managed without medications in some people. What is most important is that his blood glucose levels should be within normal limits to prevent complications in the future. If your son follows a healthy life-style, takes medications if required and does regular monitoring to keep his blood glucose under control, he can lead a normal life like any other child!Dr Ankur Sharma,Consulting Diabetologist