Diabetes is a disease that needs constant monitoring to keep it under control. We’ve heard of different ways in which this condition might be diagnosed including blood glucose monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring, etc. The physician asks individuals to take fasting blood sugar test, post-prandial test, HbA1c test, random test, and so on. Each of these have their unique methodology but serve a single purpose—to figure out the blood glucose levels in the body and confirm whether or not diabetes is under control.
Spikes in Glucose Levels Often, individuals hesitate to go for a blood test after some function or vacation fearing spikes in blood glucose levels as a result of indulging in various delicacies and failing to perform physical activity. In people with diabetes, there are higher chances of blood sugar spikes after meal consumption. That’s where the post-prandial blood glucose test comes of assistance. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that we measure blood glucose levels before eating a meal (using a glucometer) and some 1-2 hours after the meal. Follow this routine for a week or so noting down all the numbers, the diet that you consume, physical activity performed, and anything else that you feel could affect the glucose ranges. Don’t forget to mention the portion sizes and the carbs quantity and variety consumed through the meals. Analyze the trend and understand when the levels vary drastically, meaning the numbers are way below or above the recommended ranges of 180mg/dL or below. In normal people, anything under 140mg/dL is acceptable. But why do we always say that spikes in sugar levels occur just after mealtime? The answer becomes obvious once you understand the internal process that’s happening. Any food consumed, especially carbohydrates, is digested by the stomach/small intestine and gets converted into glucose. As a result, the pancreas secretes insulin which helps in transporting the glucose to different cells in the body. But this mechanism happens smoothly only in normal individuals who don’t have diabetes. People with diabetes either suffer from over-secretion or under-secretion of insulin as a result of which the glucose is either not transmitted throughout the body or doesn’t get processed properly. Basically, the timing is all mixed up in individuals with diabetes. While in normal individuals, the insulin secreted starts acting immediately and finishes its work as quickly as it started, in those with diabetes, it takes more than 15 minutes to start functioning, around 1.30 hrs to peak, and around 4 hours to finish its work. The release of a hormone called amylin helps in preventing the food from reaching the small intestine quickly to ensure nutrient absorption but in diabetics, as amylin is not produced or is produced in small quantities, there is no restriction in the food’s movement to the small intestine. Hence, the food is not only digested rapidly but this combination of slower insulin and faster food movement causes spikes in blood glucose levels immediately after meal consumption. Managing the Blood Sugar Spike After Meals To get the blood sugar levels under control, we need a couple of solutions that assist in bringing down the spikes quickly instead of long-term ones that take time. Some ways to manage the glucose spike include:
Major Contributors Toward Blood Sugar Spikes
Hit The Iron Rod While it’s Hot Individuals with diabetes are prone to experiencing spikes in blood sugar levels. With proper care such as lifestyle changes, a well-balanced diet, medications (if needed), and exercise, it is possible to control such high sugar levels. Besides the above factors, smoking and dehydration can also possibly contribute towards higher blood sugar levels. Hence, it is always better to quit smoking and drink enough water. Without regulating sugar spikes, there is always some room for complications. In the long term, it might lead to cardiovascular problems, risk of dementia, and brain-related problems too. It doesn’t stop with this but affects the quality of life of individuals. To avoid these, discuss with your physician and come to the right decision regarding medications taken and the lifestyle changes that you incorporate in your daily routine.
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