Nothing is worse than trying to do EVERYTHING right, but still having high blood sugar. Rhodes often struggles with hard-to-control highs on high-stress days. He offers a few tips on how to manage the challenge of stress.
Rhodes talks about the doctors and experts he relies on to manage his diabetes. From eye care, to foot care, to nutrition, his health care team has been critical to his diabetes management.
Rhodes explains the meaning of the hemoglobin A1C blood test. Often used to diagnose and manage diabetes, the A1C tells your average blood sugar over a three month period. Every person will have a different target, which you should determine with your doctor. But in general, diabetics strive to keep their A1C below 6.5%.
Diabetics can be treated by their family doctor, a general practitioner, or by a specialist called an endocrinologist. If you are not satisfied with your diabetes care in any way, Rhodes recommends seeing an endocrinologist. He sees his endo every three months, and finds that the doctor’s specialized knowledge and longer appointments are helpful.
Rhodes is a Type 1 diabetic (“T1D”), also commonly called juvenile diabetes, though not all persons are diagnosed as children. T1Ds are typically insulin dependent, so their pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin to regulate blood sugar. As a result, most T1Ds must take regular insulin injections or receive insulin through an insulin pump.
Type 2 diabetes (“T2D”) is becoming more and more common around the world. About ninety percent of all diabetes diagnoses are Type 2, or adult onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetics may simply not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar, or the insulin they do produce may not regulate blood sugar efficiently. T2D is typically […]
Doctor’s appointments can be stressful or leave you frustrated and confused. We recommend writing down all your questions or concerns in advance, and telling the doctor that you have a list you would like to get through. We also recommend trying to take a family member or friend with you for a second set of […]
High blood sugar can be dangerous, but also can make you feel lethargic and foggy. Insulin and medication may be your first line of defense, but then Rhodes recommends drinking a lot of water and getting some exercise to help bring blood sugar down.
The lancet is the “pricker” used to draw blood for the glucose meter that tests blood sugar. They all essentially work the same, but most have a few key features. Rhodes talks about adjusting the depth of the lancet needle, and changing the lancet.
Low blood sugar can be extremely dangerous, and often makes you feel jittery and on edge. Rhodes recommends quick acting sugar like glucose tablets or juice to raise sugar fast, combined with stabilizing carbs, like crackers or a granola bar, to help keep blood sugar at a safe level.
Our posts and videos share practical management tips and that have proven helpful to our Founders in their day-to-day lives, not medical advice.
Always consult with your doctor or healthcare team first about any changes or concerns with your diabetes management.
