Are you a person who uses insulin for diabetes mellitus? If so, this may have happened to you at some point. Even though you are taking insulin correctly, your blood sugar level keeps rising instead of decreasing. This can be a really frustrating and worrying situation. "I am taking my medication correctly, why is this happening?" You may be wondering. But don't worry, there are several possible causes for this, and there are solutions. Insulin is not the only way to control your condition.
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First, let's look at simple things we can do ourselves.
Sometimes, before we go to big things, we can make small changes in our daily lives and achieve big results. These are some of the best ways to prevent high blood sugar levels.
1. Exercise is like another medicine.
Did you know that regular exercise is like taking another pill ? Yes, it's true. When you exercise, the insulin you take starts to work better. Also, exercise helps you remove the extra sugar, or glucose, from your blood and use it as energy.
This will also help you lose weight, and losing weight is a great way to lower your blood sugar levels. Start with just 5 minutes a day, and gradually increase your exercise to 30 minutes a day, such as walking or cycling. But remember, before starting any exercise program, it is essential to talk to your doctor and ask what methods are safe and suitable for you.
2. Let's be careful about food and drink.
A healthy diet is the most important thing you can do to keep your blood sugar levels in a safe range. This is the most important way to lose weight, especially if you are overweight. It is important to talk to a qualified dietitian or diabetes educator to learn what foods are best for you and how to create a meal plan that fits your lifestyle.
3. Reduce stress.
When you are under a lot of stress, your body's ability to release insulin is blocked. This causes glucose to build up in the blood. If you are stressed for a long time, your blood sugar levels can remain high.
Simply put, the stress you feel has a direct impact on your blood sugar levels.
This condition can be controlled to a great extent by doing things like regular exercise, yoga, meditation, listening to music, and breathing exercises.
Will your insulin dose need to be changed?
If you are unable to control your blood sugar levels despite making the lifestyle changes mentioned above, your doctor will next review your insulin treatment.
The most important thing: You should never make these changes on your own. All of this should be decided by your doctor.
Your doctor may recommend things like:
- Increasing the dose of insulin you are currently taking.
- To control the sudden rise in blood sugar levels after meals, administer a fast-acting insulin before meals.
- To maintain consistent blood sugar levels throughout the day, administer a long-acting insulin to be taken once or twice a day.
- Referral to use an insulin pump . This makes it easier for some people to control their blood sugar levels.
Are there other reasons why sugar levels are not controlled?
Yes, apart from your lifestyle and insulin dosage, there can be several other factors that can affect your blood sugar levels. Let's look at those as well.
| Reason | Simple explanation and solution |
|---|---|
| Insulin Resistance | This means that your body does not respond properly to insulin. This may be a family (genetic) condition. Talk to your doctor about this and discuss other treatments if necessary. |
| Medicines taken for other diseases | Some medications you take for other conditions (such as steroids) can interfere with your body's ability to use insulin. Tell your doctor about all medications you take. |
| Injection mistakes | Do you inject in the same place every day? Doing so can cause the fatty tissue under the skin to thicken and form a scar tissue or lipohypertrophy). This prevents the insulin from being absorbed properly. Solution: Change the injection site frequently (e.g., one day on the stomach, another day on the arm, or leg). |
| Mental fear and anxiety | Some people take less insulin than their doctor prescribed because of their fear of injections or because they are afraid of hypoglycemia. This is dangerous. If you have this fear, talk to your doctor about it openly. You can reduce your fear with things like an insulin pen or pump. |
Whatever the reason, the most important thing is to work with your doctor to find a solution. He or she will thoroughly examine your condition and provide you with the most appropriate treatment.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Don't worry if your blood sugar is not under control even though you're taking insulin. You can find a reason for that.
- First, pay attention to your lifestyle. Do you exercise regularly? Do you eat well? Are you stressed? Fix these first.
- Make sure you rotate the places you inject your insulin. Don't keep injecting in the same place.
- If you are afraid of the injection or low blood sugar, talk to your doctor about it openly.
- Most importantly: Never, for any reason, change or stop your insulin dose on your own without consulting your doctor.
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