422 million people worldwide suffer from a very serious condition i.e Diabetes. So, here are some frequently asked questions by a diabetic that can help you or your loved ones!
Q1: Why is my blood sugar high in the morning?
Ans: Insulin is responsible for maintaining normal blood sugar. In diabetics, either insulin is not produced or it doesn’t show a 100% effect. In the morning, hormones like glucagon and GH (they increase blood sugar) are high which results in higher sugar levels.
Q2: How do you feel when your blood sugar is too high?
Ans: An increase in the frequency of urine, increased thirst, rise in fatigue, body ache, weight loss are all symptoms of high blood sugar.
Q3: Does hot or cold weather affect blood sugar levels?
Ans: Weather does affect the blood sugar levels but not significantly. Slightly higher sugar levels are observed in cold weather conditions.
Q4: Do I need to take medications even on the days that I feel fine?
Ans: Yes, you should. Skipping your medicines will cause fluctuations in your blood sugar levels which will eventually lead to complications. Furthermore, inform your doctor if you have any history of allergy to medicines (if experienced in the past).
Q5: Can changing medications help in faster recovery?
Ans: While uncontrolled levels warrant a change in medications, changing medications won’t lead to faster recovery if your blood sugar levels are under control.
Q6: Why is diabetes becoming a problem in our country?
Ans: A change in dietary habits (consumption of junk food, fried food, fast food) and sedentary lifestyle has resulted in an increased risk of diabetes in India.
Also Read: “Diet Alert: Foods To Avoid While Taking Metformin”
Q7: Can a person without symptoms have diabetes?
Ans: Yes. It’s quite common to have no symptoms, especially in early diabetes. A lot of cases of diabetes are accidentally diagnosed on routine testing.
Q8: Is diabetes more common among men or women?
Ans: The incidence in men is more as compared to women. However, the risk of complications is more in women.
Also Read: 8 Early Symptoms of Diabetes in Men
Q9: Can I control diabetes without medication?
Ans: In cases where sugar levels are mildly increased, dietary and lifestyle modifications can maintain a normal sugar level without any need for medication.
Read More: 10 Home Remedies for Diabetes
Q10: Can diabetics fast for 3 days or more?
Ans: Fasting for more than 24 hours in diabetics can be dangerous especially when taking medication while fasting. It can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Also, eating after a couple of days of fasting can cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
Q11: How should you prepare for a diabetes test?
Ans: 3 types of sugar levels are tested in diabetes – fasting, postprandial and random. For fasting blood sugar, you should not eat or drink anything for at least 8 hours before the test but you can drink water in small amounts. Postprandial sugar is tested 2 hours after a meal. Random sugar can be checked at any time.
Also Read: Desserts For Diabetics: An Expert’s Guide To Enjoying Sweet Treats Safely
Q12: Can I outlive diabetes?
Ans: Yes. With good control of blood sugar levels, proper medications and a good lifestyle, you can live a healthy life and beat diabetes.
If you still have questions related to diabetes, click here to know more!
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
