Questions and Answers

Of course! Water is a major nutrient, as we are composed of at least 60% water. It is calorie-free, so it will not raise your blood sugar. It is most important that you stay well hydrated, as elevated glucose can be dehydrating, leading to headaches and dizziness. The textbook recommendation is to drink half your […] Read More

A1C is a 1.5 to three-month average of glucose levels. It does not specify highs vs. lows. The goal of good control is not to have erratic swings in sugars, as this creates wear and tear on the neuropathic system. Being in the 70’s is very normal (symptom-free) for many people and better overall than […] Read More

Erratic glucose levels can mimic bipolar behavior and potentially be harmful. A person can experience high/low glucose level swings and he or she needs to take this seriously, see a physician and follow with a diabetes eating/lifestyle plan. The person should be testing sugar levels and may need medication to help get the levels under […] Read More

If you were type 1, you would require insulin for survival. For type 2 insulin is required to help lower the numbers. Each bout of pancreatitis may be affecting the insulin-producing cells a bit more, resulting in a reduced ability of the body to produce sufficient insulin to keep the levels in a better range. […] Read More

It is possible to have the production of insulin cease over time, but usually, this is not the case for type 2 diabetes. It is even less likely if you live a healthy lifestyle. You can have your insulin output measured with a C-Peptide test. If your body truly no longer makes insulin, as is […] Read More

Many people have this problem and there is no one answer. The first goal would be to maintain stable glucose levels, as fluctuating levels can certainly affect good sleep. A cup of hot herbal sleep tea before bed may help to relax and be able to fall asleep easier. Supplementing with Melatonin, a sleep hormone […] Read More

No, the diagnosis of a child is not always type 1 diabetes. With childhood obesity so common now, type 2 diabetes develops at much younger ages. Those who are truly type 1 require insulin to live. If your child is not requiring insulin at this time, it may be true that he/she may need it […] Read More

Obesity is not the cause of type 2 diabetes but is a strong contributor if one is genetically disposed of. Increased body fat appears to interfere at the cellular level with the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into the cell: the job of insulin. This creates a condition called insulin resistance. Unless lifestyle changes […] Read More

The first step in pricking your finger is to wash your hands with soap and water when at home. Make sure your hands are warm and have your hand pointing down, so the blood can flow to the tips. Pick any finger, using another finger to support it, or lay it on its side so […] Read More

Fingertips (on the sides of tips) offer a more reliable capillary flow and reading because changes in glucose levels are detected here more rapidly. This is especially important when treating hypoglycemia. If you wish to use an alternative site such as your forearm or thigh where the blood flow is less, make sure you are […] Read More