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Diabetes, a Touch of Sugar

Updated: Apr 13, 2023


Many of us have family members who say they have a touch of sugar or the sugar diabetes. What does that mean? Diabetes is a chronic health condition where blood glucose(sugar) levels are elevated. Although there is no cure for diabetes, it can be managed with diet, exercise, and medications.

Diabetes is a response to the body’s inability to make insulin or its inability to respond to insulin, insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas responsible for regulating blood sugars. Insulin is the key to open the door to the body’s cells. It allows glucose to move inside the cell. This movement of glucose into the cell creates energy and decreases the amount of glucose in the blood.

Diabetes can be diagnosed by your medical provider with a blood sample. Typically, the Ha1c blood test is used to diagnose diabetes. It is a measure of sugar in the blood stream during the previous 90 days. When glucose enters the blood stream it attaches to the protein hemoglobin. Most of us have some sugar attached to hemoglobin. However, people with diabetes will have more sugar attached to the hemoglobin. The blood test Ha1c measures the percentage of red blood cells with sugar attached to the hemoglobin.

Normal Ha1c range is below 5.7%.

Prediabetes Ha1c range is 5.7% – 6.4%.

Diabetes Ha1c is anything above 6.5%.

Prediabetes is when the blood sugar is elevated and no obvious symptoms of diabetes. If untreated and unmanaged can easily become diabetes. Managing prediabetes requires lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes that include decreasing high carbohydrates, processed foods and sugary foods is a great start. Increasing lean proteins, vegetables and monitoring portion sizes will also help. While diet is important, it is not the only component. Exercise is vital too. Exercise is great for the heart and lungs, but it also encourages insulin to move into the cells. Exercise does not have to be two hours in the gym, it can be, if that is what you like. However, a daily walk or sustained physical activity can also help. Modifying diet and exercise can prevent diabetes.

Diabetes Type 1 occurs when the body makes little or no insulin. It used to be called Insulin dependent or Juvenile Diabetes. Typically found in kids, teens, and young adults although it can occur at any age. It is believed that diabetes Type 1 is autoimmune disorder, where the body attacks itself. In diabetes the body attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

Insulin resistance is the primary cause of Diabetes Type 2. The body’s cells do not respond to insulin. The pancreas continues to send insulin, but the body doesn’t respond appropriately. Think of a balloon with many air portals to accept air. Normally, you can add air at any of these places. Resistance is when the air portals will no longer accept air. All the air the balloon needs is on the outside. It can’t use the air. It is the same with the cell and glucose. Normally, glucose can move into the cell and be used. Resistance is when the cell can no longer move the glucose inside. The blood stream has a lot of unused sugar. This unused sugar can cause damage to the eyes, kidneys, and heart.

Managing the effects of Diabetes Type 2 involves, healthy diet and exercise. It sounds easy to say eat healthy and exercise. It is harder to understand what that means and how to do it. Working with a registered dietician can be beneficial. Having a hard honest conversation about how you are currently eating, the foods you feel are important and timing of meals is a must. The ultimate goal of working with a dietician is to lower the Ha1c and still enjoy your meals.

Sometimes oral medications can decrease glucose levels. Other times insulin is needed to help lower glucose levels. You and your provider will work together to find the best fit for you

Another component to managing your blood sugar is checking your glucose levels. Typically, fasting glucose, before meals and after meals glucose levels are checked. Checking blood sugar can be done multiple ways, finger poke or continuous glucose monitoring. Finger pokes are a manual process. You will use a lancet device to poke your finger, gather a small sample of blood and place it on a glucose monitor. The glucose monitor will give a reading of your glucose. Continuous glucose monitoring allows you to see your glucose level at any time. It is a device that can be worn on the upper arm. It measures your blood sugar all the time. Glucose readings can be read by monitor or cell phone. It is important to track your levels. Jotting them into a notebook or your phone are some options. This allows you to share with your provider.


While monitoring your glucose is essential, your body can also give you signs of elevated and low blood sugar.

Blood sugar levels below 70 mg/dl are considered low. Low blood sugar can be dangerous too. If left untreated can lead to coma or death.

Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

· Shaking

· Sweaty feeling

· Dizziness

· Blurred vision

· Racing heart

· Confusion

· Irritability

Elevated blood sugar symptoms include:

· Frequent urination

· Increased thirst

· Weakness

· Fatigue

· Fruity smelling breath

· Dry mouth

· Abdominal pain


If you believe you have symptoms of diabetes, contact your provider. They can assist you with testing, diagnosis, and treatment.



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