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Regularly checking your blood sugar helps you control diabetes. It puts you in charge, giving you bits of information so you know what works for you.
Blood sugar and you
Think of insulin as the key that unlocks your cells. Unlocked cells allow sugar into them so your body can do things like talk and walk.
When you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin, or it can't use the insulin it does make. If sugar can't get into cells, it stays in your blood, which causes problems. If your blood sugar seems to always go from too high to too low, it can look and feel like a blood sugar roller coaster, out of control.
But there are ways you can stay on track.
What's in it for you?
Lowering your blood sugar can help reduce your risk of:
- Eye problems that can lead to trouble seeing or going blind
- Teeth and gum problems
- Heart attack and stroke
- Kidney problems that can cause your kidneys to stop working
- Pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands and feet (nerve damage)
Lowering your blood sugar can also give you benefits like:
- Having more energy
- Feeling less tired and thirsty
- Going to the bathroom less often
- Healing better and having fewer infections
Bottom line
Checking your blood sugar levels regularly helps you and your doctor manage your blood sugar, which helps you avoid diabetes complications.