A: For Normal Patient Fasting should be less than 100 and 140 about two hours after meal.

A: For Diabetic Patient- The American Diabetes Association recommends a blood glucose range of 80-
130 before meals and less than 180 about 2 hours after a meal. This range should place your A1c under 7.

A Hemoglobin A1c is a 2-3 month average of your blood sugars. This result gives you a good idea of
how well your diabetes is being managed/controlled. The American Diabetes Association recommends an
A1c of less than 7 to keep the risk of complications low.

A: It is very important to keep your blood sugar level under control. When your blood sugar level is high,
it can cause damage in your veins and arteries. This damage could lead to complications later such as
heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, neuropathies, vision problems, etc.

Fruits, starchy vegetables, milk, yogurt, rice, cereals, bread and other grains all have carbs and give
you important nutrients. Many snack foods, such as chips and popcorn, have carbs. Sweets, including
regular soda, cakes, candy and cookies, also contain carbohydrates. Be sure to check the nutrition label on
each food item to determine carbohyrdate content.

Sugar free foods can be part of a healthy meal plan in small amounts. Keep in mind though that some
of these foods still have carbs (in the form of other sweeteners such as sorbitol, isomalt, and mannitol)
and may affect your blood glucose levels. Many sugar free foods have calories and carbohydrates and lots
of fat. Make sure you read the nutrition labels.

Currently no cure exists for diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a deficiency of the pancreas to produce
insulin, so insulin injections are necessary to sustain life. Type 2 diabetes is more common; the pancreas
can produce some insulin, but not enough for the diet and size of the body, and/or the insulin functions
poorly due to insulin resistance.

Research has shown that healthy lifestyle changes such as weight loss and exercise can decrease the need
for medication for type 2 diabetes. Even if symptoms diminish and blood glucose measures normal, the
disease is still present.
Your risk of complications of diabetes is lower if your blood glucose control is improved.

Many people with diabetes experience one or more symptoms, including extreme thirst or hunger, a
frequent need to urinate and/or fatigue. Some lose weight without trying. Additional signs include sores
that heal slowly, dry, itchy skin, loss of feeling or tingling in the feet and blurry eyesight. Some people
with diabetes, however, have no symptoms at all.

People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to sustain life. People with type 2 diabetes either produce
inadequate insulin or have insulin resistance (which means the cells have difficulty responding to insulin)
or both. Treatment for type 2 usually begins with a change in diet and exercise. However, very
overweight, inactive newly diagnosed people with diabetes may have such a high blood glucose level that
they may initially need insulin to bring blood glucose under control. Many people with type 2 diabetes
can manage their diabetes with lifestyle changes and oral medications. Diabetes is a progressive disease,
and in spite of a person’s best efforts, they may need insulin to control blood glucose at some time.

If blood sugar is not kept in check, diabetes can lead to a number of serious complications, including
heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, blood vessel disease that can require amputations, nerve
damage and impotence in men. However, a recent study conducted over a 10-year period showed that
patients can reduce the risk of complications by 50% or more when their blood sugar measures as close to
normal as possible.
The best way to protect yourself from the serious complications of diabetes is to manage your blood
glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol and avoid smoking. It is not always easy, but people who make
an ongoing effort to manage their diabetes can greatly improve their overall health.

It is important to talk with your doctor about whether alcohol is safe for you. If you do choose to drink,
do so occasionally and only when your blood sugar level is well controlled. Alcohol can cause low blood
sugar levels soon after drinking and for up to 24 hours after drinking. It is a good idea to check your blood
sugar before you drink and eat a meal or snack containing carbohydrates while drinking.

Yes! Carbohydrates in food turn into glucose in the body. It is the total amount of carbohydrates you
eat that affects blood glucose levels more than the source. That means you can eat a small portion of
desserts, sweets or other foods with sugar as long as you work it into your meal plan and follow your
prescribed medication. Always watch your portion size and try to eat sweets that are made with healthy
fats such as olive oil instead of butter or shortening and with whole grain flour instead of white flour.

Low-carb diets are not recommended for people with diabetes. Carbohydrates are the body’s main
source of energy. Your body also needs carbohydrates to feed the brain and red blood cells and to protect
against muscle loss. A balanced diet with carbohydrates from healthy sources (fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, legumes and low-fat dairy products) is best. If you are trying to lose weight, cutting back on your
portion sizes and calories is more effective than cutting out entire food groups.

The amount of carbs you should eat depends on your age, activity level, diabetes medicines and other
medical conditions. Your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian can help you determine the right
amount for you. Carbohydrate counting or consistent carbohydrate meal plans are the most common meal
planning techniques used to help keep blood glucose levels within target range.

Most people with diabetes can get the nutrients they need through a healthy, balanced diet. There is no
clear evidence that vitamin or mineral supplements improve blood sugar control. If you have a deficiency,
your provider may suggest a supplement. Do not take any supplements without talking to your doctor
first, as some may interact with your medications or cause other problems.

Yes. When you are stressed, your body releases hormones that can cause blood sugar to rise. This is
especially true in people with type 2 diabetes. Learning stress management techniques like deep breathing,
yoga, meditation or talking with a counselor can help reduce stress and may improve your blood sugar
control.

This depends on your type of diabetes, your treatment plan, and your blood sugar goals. People who
take insulin may need to check more often (before meals and at bedtime). Those managing with diet and
exercise or oral medications may check less often. Your provider will recommend how often you should
test and what your target range should be.

If your blood sugar is consistently high, review your diet, physical activity and medications. Make sure
you are taking medications as prescribed, eating healthy, and being active. Drink water to help flush out
excess sugar, and consider light activity like walking. Contact your healthcare provider if your levels stay
high or if you are not feeling well.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can be dangerous. If your blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL, eat or drink
15 grams of fast-acting carbs (such as glucose tablets, juice, or regular soda). Recheck your blood sugar
after 15 minutes and repeat if it is still low. Always carry a quick source of sugar and talk to your doctor
about how to prevent lows.

No! You can still enjoy your favorite foods in moderation. The key is to plan ahead, watch portion sizes,
and balance your meals. Working with a dietitian can help you fit your favorite foods into a healthy meal
plan.

The best way to prevent complications is to keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in
your target ranges. Eat healthy, stay active, take medications as prescribed, manage stress, and avoid
smoking. Regular checkups and monitoring can help catch problems early. Managing your diabetes every
day may seem hard, but it makes a huge difference in your long-term health.