📈Blood glucose levels change due to factors like food, illness, and stress.
🔒Insulin acts as a key to allow glucose into cells for energy.
💉People with diabetes either don't produce insulin (type 1) or are resistant to it (type 2).
⚖️Each person has their own healthy blood sugar range.
⏰Regularly checking blood glucose levels is the only way to understand how different factors affect the body.
What causes blood sugar levels to change?
—Factors like food, illness, and stress can cause blood sugar levels to go up, while lack of nutrition, too much medication, or physical activity can cause them to go down.
Why should I check my blood glucose levels regularly?
—Regularly checking your blood glucose levels is crucial to understand how different foods and factors affect your body, to help avoid dangerous situations, and to manage your condition better.
How often should I check my blood glucose levels?
—If you have diabetes, it's important to check your blood glucose levels at different times throughout the day, including fasting, before and after meals, before bed, and during the night if you wake up with symptoms.
When is the best time to check blood glucose levels after a meal?
—To capture your peak blood glucose levels, it's best to test 1 to 2 hours after a meal. Complex carbs like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are digested more slowly and can keep your blood sugar levels more stable.
Is there a one-size-fits-all approach to managing blood glucose levels?
—No, every person is different, and everyone's journey with diabetes is different. It's important to work with your doctor to determine a healthy target range and to track your blood glucose levels to understand how your body responds.
00:00Diabetes affects more than one in 10 Americans.
00:25Blood glucose, or blood sugar, is the amount of glucose circulating in the blood.
01:07Factors like food, illness, and stress can cause blood sugar levels to go up.
01:35Lack of nutrition, too much medication, and physical activity can cause blood sugar levels to go down.
02:03Regularly checking blood glucose levels is crucial for understanding how different factors affect the body.
02:22Different times to check blood glucose levels include fasting, before and after meals, before bed, and during the night if waking up with symptoms.
02:48It's best to test blood glucose levels 1 to 2 hours after a meal to capture your peak levels.
03:57Regularly checking blood glucose levels can help manage diabetes and improve health.
