Diabetes Management and Zone Tool
Diabetes is a condition in which your blood contains too much sugar (glucose). Blood sugar levels that are too high can cause major health concerns. With 34 million Americans living with diabetes and a self-care mindset that has only grown as a result of the epidemic, diabetic product suppliers — from glucometers and pen lancets to compression socks and nutrition — are increasingly offering and introducing new ways of managing diabetes to the forefront, as well as assisting retailers in catering to diabetic patients throughout the store.
Self-management for diabetes, on the other hand, includes all the activities and behaviors that an individual engages in to control and treat their illness. Diabetes patients must keep track of their health frequently. Diabetes self-management is usually done at home and consists of the following steps:
- Testing blood sugar (glucose)
- Consuming balanced meals and appropriate portion sizes
- Engaging in regular exercise
- Drinking water and avoiding dehydration
- Taking medications as prescribed
- Adjusting medications as needed
- Monitoring other signs or symptoms caused by diabetes
While it is critical for persons with diabetes to establish and practice self-management, it is also possible for close relatives, friends, or other caretakers to participate. These persons can provide emotional support, model healthy behaviors, engage in exercise activities, assist in blood sugar (glucose) monitoring, give insulin or other prescriptions, and promote open discussion about effective self-management techniques.
It’s critical to keep your blood sugar under control. As advised by your doctor, use this guide to help you understand what to do if your levels rise too high or too low.
Understand Your Risk
You can figure out which following actions are best for you by starting with particular tools. We can assist you in achieving your goals, whether it’s dropping a few pounds, increasing your daily physical activity, or making healthier dietary choices.
Make an appointment with your doctor to go through these tools and determine the best next steps to reduce your risk. Safe Hands HHC is here to help you, so you don’t have to go it alone.
The Importance of A1c Levels
It can detect prediabetes, a condition that increases your risk of developing diabetes. It can be used to determine whether or not someone has diabetes. It’s also used to track how well your diabetes treatment is functioning in the long run. It’s also crucial to develop a diabetes management strategy with your diabetes care team.
This straightforward blood test can reveal a great deal. The results overview your average blood sugar level during the last two to three months. The higher your blood sugar levels are, the more likely you will develop diabetes complications.
Your doctor will determine how often you require the A1C test, but you should get it at least twice a year if you’re on track with your medication. If your goals aren’t being met or your treatments change, you may need to get an A1C test more frequently.
The A1C target levels fluctuate depending on age and other circumstances. Thus yours may differ from someone else’s. An A1C of less than 7% is the target for most persons with diabetes. The results of the A1C test are expressed as a percentage. The higher the proportion, the higher your blood sugar levels have been in the previous two to three months.
Your A1C level has been in the prediabetes range if it is between 5.7 and less than 6.5 percent. Your readings were in the diabetic category if your A1C level was 6.5 percent or greater.
When determining your A1C, you may come across the phrase eAG. Your A1C values may be reported as eAG by your doctor. eAG is comparable to what you see on your meter when testing your blood sugar at home. Your meter readings will likely be lower than your eAG because you are more likely to test your blood sugar in the morning and before meals.
What Is A Zone Tool?
The colors of a stoplight aid patients in managing some of their chronic diseases in this one-page application. Green (“all clear”), yellow (“warning”), and red (“medical alert”) zones make up the instrument.
The tool gives indications and symptoms for each zone. It allows the health care professional to give detailed directions for managing the condition, including when to seek emergency medical help.
Red Zone- Medical Alert Zone
Diabetes symptoms can swiftly and unexpectedly escalate into an emergency. Knowing the signs and symptoms of an emergency and what to do if one occurs is critical. It frequently occurs when blood sugar levels are excessively high due to a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to respond to the available insulin.
If a person with diabetes does not receive therapy, this can happen.
On the other hand, high blood sugar levels can cause life-threatening consequences such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. If symptoms develop, or if a person has trouble breathing, a dry mouth, or a fruity odor on their breath, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Yellow Zone- Warning Zone
Your doctor may probably need to change your meds in this phase. If your average blood glucose is between 150 and 210 mg/dL most of the time, you’re in this zone (Which corresponds to A1C between 7 percent and 9 percent). In this scenario, you should modify your food habits and your degree of physical exercise.
If you’re going into the YELLOW Zone, you’ll need to team up with your medical team. If the recommended modifications in your exercise level and eating habits do not lower your blood sugar levels, contact your health care practitioner or a certified diabetes educator.
Green Zone- All Clear Zone
This zone indicates that you are safe and do not require additional measures. Your blood sugar levels are in check. This implies you have no indications of low or high blood sugar. Your fasting blood sugar is between 80–130 mg/dl, your blood sugar is less than 180 mg/dl 1–2 hours after a meal, and your A1c level is less than 7.
When your symptoms appear to be under control, you must continue taking your medications as prescribed, monitoring your blood glucose regularly, maintaining healthy eating habits, exercising regularly, and making all medical visits.
Importance of Diabetes Management
Patients must comprehend the importance of diabetic self-management activities. Initiatives can encourage health professionals to discuss self-management with patients and refer them to self-management programs. Diabetic patients should be motivated to ask questions and reminded that doing so can help them control their disease more effectively.
Diabetic patients face difficulties in their daily living as their symptoms become severe. They require diabetes home care to assist them throughout their life. Safe Hands HHC understands the needs of diabetic patients very well; therefore, it marks its name in this field by being the best in diabetic management in Michigan.
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